Soup Kitchen needs your help to keep going

By John Underwood / john@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 12/20/17

ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — The Soup Kitchen at the George P. Thames Adult Activity Center is taking December off, but will return in January to provide meals to residents at the center and delivering …

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Soup Kitchen needs your help to keep going

Posted

ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — The Soup Kitchen at the George P. Thames Adult Activity Center is taking December off, but will return in January to provide meals to residents at the center and delivering meals to shut-ins in the area.

But after losing a major sponsor, main organizer Becky Hayes says she and her staff of volunteers will need help to keep the Soup Kitchen going.

“This is something that was put on my heart,” Hayes said, “and without additional sponsorships and donations, I don’t know what we’re going to do.”

Hayes said while the serving of meals at the center is fairly self-sufficient, the main need is delivering meals to shut-ins, which has grown to about 65 residents since the program started.

“Generally we deliver two meals to each shut-in every month, that’s 130 meals,” Hayes said. “And we don’t just deliver meals for that day. We try to do what we can to take care of their day-to-day needs. We’ve been told numerous times that without us, many of the people we serve don’t know what they would do.”

The soup kitchen is held on the last Friday of every month at the center, 22651 E. Chicago St., Robertsdale, and while they do sometimes feature soup, they have featured a wide variety of foods, from chicken and dumplings, to spaghetti, to tacos and Mexican fare.

“We cook whatever we have available,” Hayes said. “Right now, our biggest need is food, mainly non-perishable items since we don’t have any way to store perishable goods. Bread is also a big need. Of course we will take monetary donations and we are always looking for volunteers.”

Hayes said as it stands right now, they have enough to keep going for about six months. In addition to serving meals at the center, volunteers are also needed to deliver meals to shut-ins every month, Hayes said.

Hayes said while they will not turn anyone away who needs a hot meal, donations are gladly accepted from those who want to come and support the program.

“There are a lot of people out there who need our help and we have to be there for them,” said Claudia Barbee, who helps coordinate the program. “People forget about seniors and we have to take care of our seniors. We welcome all the help people can give with the Soup Kitchen, but beyond that, we want people to be aware of who lives around them. If you have an elderly neighbor, check on them. Find out what they need and do whatever you can to help them.”

If you would like to donate, contact the Hayes or Barbee at the Center, 251-947-8973, or donations can be dropped off directly at the center.