After months of hard work by volunteers, hungry Fulton residents enjoyed their first meal in the Fulton Soup Kitchen's new home.
"I'm in shock," Fulton Soup Kitchen President Katherine Bader said. "Look how amazing it turned out. It's been a collective effort from some amazing members of the Fulton community."
A grand opening is planned for 4:30 p.m. Friday, with a ribbon cutting at 5 p.m. Members of local government, including State Rep. Travis Fitzwater, may be in attendance.
The former gas station building at 214 East Fourth St. has received a total makeover since Casey's General Store donated it to the FSK late last year.
There's a shiny new tile floor (donated by Rance's Carpet and Cabinets), and booths and tables decorated with Fulton Public Schools hornets. Art adorns the newly painted walls. In back is a fully functional commercial kitchen. It took several minutes for FSK board member Shane McKinnon to list all of the donations people have made.
"Everything you see is pretty much new, right down to the vent hood, which we painted," McKinnon said.
The only holdovers from the old interior are a few shelving units, including a cigarette rack that now holds row upon row of spices.
"I'm pretty proud of that," McKinnon admitted.
For now, the soup kitchen will be serving dinner 5:30-6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Once the school year ends, lunch will be served as well, Bader said.
"We're okay for volunteers right now, but we're always looking to recruit more," McKinnon added.
To learn more about the soup kitchen or volunteering, visit thefultonsoupkitchen.com or call 573-310-6013.