Utensils, food on wish list
By Ty Johnson
Published in News on November 29, 2012 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/MICHAEL BETTS
Frank Farrell opens a can of corn at the Goldsboro Community Soup Kitchen Tuesday morning. Donations typically spike during the holiday season, but the kitchen serves hot meals to the needy year-round. Along with food, the Kitchen is also in need of cups, plates, flatware and cleaning supplies.
With the holiday season comes a renewed focus on those in need, but it's the year-round mission of the Goldsboro Community Soup Kitchen to feed the hungry and provide support to those who have fallen on hard times.
Donations typically peak at the end of the calendar year, Director Doricia Benton said, and those serve to extend the Soup Kitchen's capabilities to feed residents.
"Giving is heavier during the holiday season, but we're here six days a week so we go beyond the holidays," she said. "The holidays carry us during the quiet months."
The Kitchen also benefits from extra hands as volunteers from schools and churches often help out during the holidays, although there are volunteer opportunities year-round as well.
The Kitchen is experiencing an increase in patronage, as Mrs. Benton's staff has prepared and served 3,000 more meals this year compared to last year.
October alone saw an increase of more than 400 meals from 2011's total, as the 3,568 meals served outpaced the Kitchen's average, which lies between 29,000 and 31,000.
Increased demand is leading to a need for more supply, but Mrs. Benton said food isn't the only thing on the Kitchen's holiday wish list.
"We're also in need of supplies such as plates and cups, spoons, forks, 55-gallon trash bags, cleaning supplies," she said.
The community has always supported the Kitchen, she said, so she's sure the needs will be met.
"I love my community," she said. "They're a blessing to our mission. So many people step forward to help."
For more information on how to volunteer, or to find out what items are in need, call 919-739-3939.