Slide 1:An Ecumenical Ministry The Wildwood Soup Kitchen Ver 1.7.200805


Slide 2:“…for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…” Matthew 25:35 …whatsoever you do…


Slide 3:…we serve all who come to us At the Wildwood Soup Kitchen


Slide 4:To serve healthy, nutritious and appetizing meals to the poor, the hungry, and the lonely We also deliver meals to shut-ins and others who are unable to come to the Soup Kitchen …while providing person-to-person care Our Mission? It’s simple…


Wildwood Soup Kitchen :Our History Wildwood Soup Kitchen


Slide 6:Terri and Belen were assisted by Clair Dionne, Tom Claud and Ken Vance of the United Methodist Church of Wildwood The Wildwood Soup Kitchen Begun in 1992 by Terri Stagg and Belen Sodergren of the Assembly of God Church in Oxford At first, meals were served only twice a week in the church’s fellowship hall Because Oxford was so far from Wildwood, the area of primary need, Terri petitioned the North Sumter Ministerial Association for a facility in Wildwood


Slide 7:At first, the Soup Kitchen was open only two days per week, but it gradually expanded to three days and finally to five days The Wildwood Soup Kitchen Bob Merrell, interim pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Wildwood offered his church’s facility, and the Soup Kitchen moved into its current home in August 1994 On the first day, there were 20 guests and five meals were delivered to the home-bound


Our Host Church :Our Host Church Today the First Presbyterian Church of Wildwood has the honor of hosting this ministry


Slide 9:The Wildwood Soup Kitchen Board members also assist in addressing the Kitchen’s day-to-day needs and operating requirements In 2005, at the suggestion of Dan Clow, then the pastor of First Presbyterian Church, a Board of Directors was formed to provide guidance in addressing the growing needs of the Soup Kitchen Since moving to its present location, the Kitchen has grown steadily


Slide 10:Kitchen volunteers now prepare over 200 meals per day The Wildwood Soup Kitchen What God has accomplished through this ecumenical ministry: 100-125 meals are delivered daily to shut-ins and those who lack transportation Between 50 and 100 guests are served daily in the Kitchen’s dining room, Monday through Friday In 2008, we cooked and served or delivered 62,013 meals, an 17% increase over 2007


Slide 11:The Wildwood Soup Kitchen The Soup Kitchen serves a hot meal every day between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. There is no charge for meals, although donations are accepted The Soup Kitchen is funded completely by donations of money, food, equipment and services from individuals, businesses, local churches, and civic organizations


Slide 12:The Wildwood Soup Kitchen Our high-wattage generator allows us to operate the Soup Kitchen 24x7 if necessary The Soup Kitchen partners with the American Red Cross to provide meals at the Wildwood shelter during times of natural disaster or other emergencies We also partner with the Salvation Army to provide meals for their mobile canteens during emergencies We are the sole provider of emergency hot meals in Northern Sumter County Emergency Preparedness & Services


Wildwood Soup Kitchen :Our Volunteers Wildwood Soup Kitchen


Slide 14:The Churches of our Volunteers Christian Church at Continental First Baptist Church of Leesburg First Baptist Church of Oxford First Baptist Church of the Villages First Baptist Church of Wildwood First Presbyterian Church of Wildwood HOPE Lutheran Church New Bethel New Covenant United Methodist Church New Creation Worship New Life Presbyterian Church North Lake Presbyterian Church Oxford Assembly of God Oxford United Methodist Church Pilgrim's United Church of Christ Rock of Ages Lutheran Church St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church St. Paul Catholic Church St. Timothy Catholic Church St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church Temple Shalom Union Congregational Church of Tavares United Church of Christ at The Villages Wildwood United Methodist Church


Slide 15:Soup Kitchen Volunteers …who give of themselves so faithfully …enabling the Wildwood Soup Kitchen to fulfill its mission to provide for the immediate food needs of the hungry


Slide 16:Our Volunteers God’s Work I was hungry and you fed me… a stranger and you welcomed me... thirsty and you gave me drink…


Slide 17:God’s Work More Volunteers


Slide 18:The Wildwood Soup Kitchen has no paid staff, but is operated and managed solely by volunteers Soup Kitchen Volunteers We have well over 100 volunteers who donate their time to support the Soup Kitchen as cooks, kitchen helpers, servers and drivers The Board of Directors currently consists of 10 people, all regular Soup Kitchen volunteers


Slide 19:Our Board of Directors Made up of volunteers, the Board of Directors sets policy, oversees all operations, and raises funds.


The Soup Kitchen Covenant :The Soup Kitchen Covenant The Soup Kitchen Covenant is an agreement among all Soup Kitchen volunteers. It is both a statement of our shared beliefs and a guide for our ministry to those of God’s people whom we are called to serve.


The Soup Kitchen Covenant :The Soup Kitchen Covenant We will treat each guest with respect and dignity We will preserve our guests’ personal safety of, protecting them against harassment of any kind. We will prepare and serve appetizing and healthy meals to our guests, allowing second servings whenever possible and while supplies last. Our guests honor us by accepting our hospitality, which we interpret as their heart-felt gratitude. Every volunteer accepts the responsibility of preserving peace and unity among her/his colleagues.


Our 11th Commandment:Thou shalt have fun! :Our 11th Commandment:Thou shalt have fun! The Wildwood Soup Kitchen …because nobody likes a grim do-gooder!


Slide 23:How Can You Help? In addition to volunteers, our greatest need is always for financial contributions Many often make memorial donations in the name of loved ones Or as Birthday or Christmas gifts some donate 25, 50 or 100 meals in someone’s name at $1 per meal. We have also been blessed with a number of generous bequests


Slide 24:How Can You Help? We also have a continual need for donations of food. Ask for our list of desired foods And we need and ask for your prayers. Please help this necessary and growing ministry that struggles daily to meet the needs of those in our community who lack even the most basic necessities


Slide 25:…we are grateful… Thanks from our volunteers and guests


Slide 26:You can visit our website at: www.wildwoodsoupkitchen.com You can send us an email to: mail@wildwoodsoupkitchen.com You can call us (M-F from 8 a.m. to noon) at: (352) 748-1008 Or you can visit us at: 203 Barwick St., Wildwood, Florida 34785 How to find out more… Dana McCarthy: 5/2008