Holts Summit Soup Kitchen seeks assistance

Gene Johnson, left, and Bill Bond finish a hearty meal at the Holts Summit Soup Kitchen.
Gene Johnson, left, and Bill Bond finish a hearty meal at the Holts Summit Soup Kitchen.

Food and fellowship - that's what the Holt Summit Soup Kitchen has to offer. And for the 30 or 40 folks who show up on the average Tuesday or Thursday at the Civic Building in Greenway Park, it's a tremendous blessing.

Its services are only possible through the help of Mid-Missouri donors and volunteers, however, and the Christmas season has brought some specific needs for the kitchen.

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9/15/13 Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/STEPHEN B. THORNTON Kids spin and jump in an inflatable playroom Sunday afternoon during the National Back-to-Church Sunday celebration at the Salvation Army's North Little Rock Center of Worship. The event featured free music, games and food.

"It's very helpful to the community, whether you're financially solid or not," said Rainbow Tingle, who was there dining with her daughter Kacey. "It's a chance to get together with folks."

She said she moved to Holts Summit about three years ago.

"We didn't know very many people until we started coming here," she said.

The soup kitchen was less crowded than usual Thursday evening.

"With the cold weather, we have less people," said Mary Steck, one of the head organizers. "The elderly people don't get out as much."

However, this Thursday's Christmas meal is expected to draw a crowd.

"The Girl Scouts are coming out to help," Steck said.

"Corralling the kids can be a challenge," added organizer Darrell Brauner.

The Christmas crowd will enjoy smoked turkey and various tasty sides, and they'll be eating them off new, sturdy tables.

"We got new tables from the city," Brauner said. "Our old ones were falling apart, so we talked to (City Administrator) Rick Hess, and a week later we had new tables."

But the soup kitchen still has many needs. Its Facebook page lists necessities like butter, noodles, sugar and dish soap (see the full list here: bit.ly/2gTEs7O). Monetary donations let the kitchen buy whatever it needs most.

"Volunteers are always needed," Brauner said. "They're also welcome to take over a whole meal - cook the meal, bring a meal."

Regular volunteers say working at the soup kitchen is gratifying.

"You're helping out the poor and other people who can't help themselves sometimes," volunteer Trey Stumbaugh said. "It makes you want to come back all the time."

He and several others who attend St. Andrew Catholic Church in Holts Summit come in every other Thursday to help.

"We do try to donate a few dollars when we can," Gene Johnson said. "(The organizers) are very nice people."

He and Bill Bond were there to eat supper that evening - fried chicken donated by St. Andrew's and Lee's Chicken and an assortment of sides.

Bill Bond said fried chicken was one of his favorite meals at the kitchen, which he comes to most Tuesday and Thursdays.

"It's free food!" he said with a laugh.

Fulton's soup kitchen, in the John C. Harris Community Center, is also planning a Christmas party for noon Saturday. It is in need of Christmas cookies. Visit the Fulton Mo Soup Kitchen Facebook page to volunteer.