March 2006

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Soup Kitchen Corner: A Look Back at 2005
by Janice Guillory, Director, Gettysburg Community Soup Kitchen

By your hand the many have been fed, not only a meal but with kindness in an atmosphere of peace. Some are regulars, perhaps elderly or disabled and living alone. Others are young parents temporarily at the homeless shelter. There is the occasional foot traveler from the highways. A few stop in when supplies at home run low. Some who come are unemployed or underemployed. In 2005 we had the happiness of seeing a number of our former guests in jobs around the community.

It has been a special joy this year to work closely with the Clothing Closet at the Methodist Church. We are allowed to give vouchers so the people can receive clothing and blankets, a service which has been very happily received by many.

The summer program for children, Meals and More, grew to include an average of 20 children a day under the creative hand of Denise Weldon-Siviy. The children were fed a breakfast snack as well as a hot meal at lunch. Fine educational and athletic activities replaced aimless time in the streets. An athletics coordinator was added to the staff and many teenagers came for the sports.

Prince of Peace Church has installed a shower for us this year for the road weary or the homeless who may wish to use it. Towels and toilet articles are provided, as well. St. Francis Xavier Church took up an Ash Wednesday* collection for the Soup Kitchen and sent us $2,000.

Several churches took up “Souper Bowl Sunday” collections. There are now more than twenty churches who help the Soup Kitchen. This fine ecumenical effort is a credit to Adams County.

*Editor’s note: St. Francis Xavier repeated the Ash Wednesday collection in 2006 and was able to send the Soup Kitchen an even more generous contribution this year.

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Last updated March 20, 2006

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