Hartsville Soup Kitchen Mission, old post originally on hvtd

Hartsville Soup Kitchen Mission

on Mon, 06/05/2006 - 09:00. Neighbors

Did you know that there is a Hartsville Soup Kitchen Mission that has been feeding the needy in Hartsville since 1998?

This is the building that houses the Hartsville Soup Kitchen Mission, in the former Youth Building across the street from Wesley United Methodist Church on 145 East College Avenue. Meals are served Monday through Friday from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.

For those of you who do not know about it, it will warm your heart to read the following facts supplied to me by the Mission's tireless director, Pat Sadauskas. Even if you already knew about it, you may be surprised to see how many people it helps, and how many people are involved as volunteers.

If you have not been fortunate to have met "Ms. Pat" and her equally spirit-filled husband, Jerry, you have no idea what an inspiration they both are. They are the type of people that just bring a tear to your eye with their kind hearts and compassion for the needy.

Please enjoy this statement prepared by Pat:

HARTSVILLE SOUP KITHEN MISSION

"The Hartsville Soup Kitchen is a non profit organization which operates in the Youth Center of the Wesley United Methodist Church. The Soup Kitchen is not affiliated with the Wesley United Methodist Church but takes advantage of the church’s tax exempt status and their facilities. A separately managed fund is maintained by the church for the Hartsville Soup Kitchen. All donations and withdrawals are initiated by the Soup Kitchen Director and handled by the Church Treasurer. All withdrawals are supported by receipts. The Hartsville Soup Kitchen is audited along with the church’s books on a regular basis. All funds are used exclusively for the procurement of food and supplies such as paper goods and eating utensils. No salaries are paid since only volunteers work at the Soup Kitchen. There are no overhead costs since the facility and utilities are donated by Wesley UMC.

The Soup Kitchen Mission has served over 30,000 clients since it opened in 1998 with a Christian Spirit. We are open as scheduled even if the scheduled day falls on a holiday. We have never missed serving since we opened. This past year over 11,000 hot meals have been served. Meals are served Monday through Friday from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. Everyone is welcome and no questions are asked. The mission is a member of the Harvest Hope Food Bank from which a majority of our food is obtained. We are authorized to receive USDA food from Harvest Hope at no charge. The USDA food is generally canned meats, vegetables, and fruit as available. We frequently receive donations of food from individuals, schools, clubs, and businesses. All food is kept in our freezers and pantry at 145 E. College Avenue. Meals usually consist of a meat or fish, 2 vegetables, bread and butter, sweet tea, milk or punch, and a dessert. Food is not permitted to be carried out but must be eaten at the Mission per DHEC guidelines.

Our clients consist of the elderly who have a limited income and cannot pay their medical expenses and still have money for food; the disabled; families who are down on their luck; men and women who are either unemployed or make a minimum wage; farm workers; and Christian workers such as those who come to work on houses for Habitat for Humanity. Recently a young man brought us a donation. While speaking to him, we learned that he and his mother had come to eat with us. He said, “No one embarrassed us.” You could tell that he and his mother were very proud, and felt humbled by having to eat with us. The spirit of Christ is in the Mission.

This year, as we have done every Christmas since we opened, we will be providing 120 holiday packages to the needy. The packages contain food items and personal care items such as toothbrushes and toiletries. The wrapping paper will be decorated by Scouts and the packages will be filled and wrapped by volunteers. The Mission also has a limited supply of clean, donated clothing, which is made available to our clients free of charge.

Please stop by any day we are open to inspect our facility and to eat with us if you like. I pray that you will find it in your hearts to support the need in our area. We appreciate your coming by and offering to help us out. With your help, we will come closer to helping the needy in this area.

In Jesus name,

Pat Sadauskas"

We would like to thank the volunteers who staff the kitchen from:

Centenary United Methodist Church
Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints
Cornerstone Baptist Church
Darlington 4-H Club
Faith Baptist Church
First Presbyterian Church
Girl and Boy Scouts
Liberty Hill Baptist Church
Nazareth Apostolic Church
Our Shepherd Lutheran Church
The Pilot Club of Hartsville
St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church
St. Luke United Methodist Church
St. Mary’s Catholic Church
South Hartsville Baptist Church
Students from the WIA program
Wesley United Methodist Church
West Hartsville Baptist Church
Youth groups from our area churches

Hartsville Soup Kitchen Mission Needs List:
Contact Pat Sadauskas at: 383-9431

Clean men, women and children’s clothing including coats, socks, sweaters, sweat suits, gloves and hats.

Blankets

Shoes and boots in good repair.

Supplies:

Toilet paper
*Paper towels
Napkins
Ketchup
Salt/Pepper
*Powdered drink mix, Kool –Aid, etc.
*Sweetened powdered ice tea mix- Nestea
Kitchen trash bags
Dishwashing soap
*Sugar
*Ziplock bags (all sizes)
Food donated should be in large cans (if possible)
Fruit
Soups
Tomato products
Gilette razors
Deodorant/Anti Perspirant
Soap
Toothbrushes

*- most needed