Every third Communion FUMC takes up a special offering for God’s Soup Kitchen in Galax. The Soup Kitchen provides a freshly prepared meal that is free to those in need. There are many stories about the Soup Kitchen and all that they are trying to do to help those in need. One story is of three children who come into the Soup Kitchen several days a week for their evening meal and when they leave they take their mother and father’s dinner plate’s home with them because their parents are still working. Both of their parents work long hours at multiple jobs to provide for their children, but still cannot make enough to pay their monthly bills. Without the Soup Kitchen these children would go without a fresh and healthy meal. Instead their meal may consist of Ramen Noodles or Spaghetti O’s, a meal that a child can easily make on their own.

The Soup Kitchen feeds between 200-250 people a night and costs approximately $200.00 per meal. They are also in need of volunteers to help prepare, serve meals, and clean up on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 4:00-6:00 pm in the Rooftop Building. They have also started delivering meals to the elder who are sick or shut-ins and are always in need of help delivering meals.

The volunteers at the Soup Kitchen also try to be available for the teenage girls in our community. Unfortunately many parents are addicts and are not there to support their children emotionally or physically. This leaves the girls alone and with no one to turn to for guidance or support but their peers. The Soup Kitchen has organized events like “Say Yes to The Dress”, which provides them with a free prom dress and helps provide these girls with personal hygiene items. These women are positive role models that do not judge them because of their parent’s addiction and of course care about them.

Kisha Johnson who runs the Soup Kitchen has been asked many times, “How many people really need the soup kitchen?” by individuals in our community. Her response is that people need more than food for fulfillment. The Soup Kitchen is about bringing people in the community together for fellowship, sharing God’s love, and of course making sure no one goes hungry. Since opening their doors, they have started children’s bible studies on Monday evenings which is made possible by the generous ladies of Mount Olivet United Methodist Church who come every week to teach. Sometimes we take for granted that everyone, including children know about Jesus and the sacrifices he made for us. Some of these children have never been to church and these ladies have patiently answered their questions, such as what is a cross? Who is Jesus?

“Food for the body is not enough. There must be food for the soul.” –Dorothy Day