For four years the soup kitchen at Trinity United Methodist Church has served homeless and low-income individuals a warm meal once a week. “Each Saturday we serve approximately 60-100 individuals – providing a nourishing meal, comfort from the elements and some supportive human contact to those less fortunate than ourselves,” Cheryl Gohndrone the TUMC Outreach Auction Chair tells us.
This year the budget for the soup kitchen has been slashed in half. “Due to the declining economy, our annual budget is less than it has been in the past and our produce donations have been reduced, while the number of individuals needing our assistance is growing,” Cheryl Gohndrone, the outreach auction chair writes (read letter here .pdf.)
In 2010 the church hired a security guard, which Gohndrone tells us has encouraged women and young people to come eat a meal at the soup kitchen. Although the security guard is a significant chunk of their budget, organizers don’t want to do away with the position.
If they continue working as they’re doing now the soup kitchen is in jeopardy of closing early this summer. As a response to the cut in funding, church leaders are putting together an auction fundraiser to help keep the soup kitchen open through 2011.
The event is February 26th at 5 p.m. at Grace Gospel Chapel (2052 NW 64th St). For $60 you get beer/wine and non-alcoholic drinks, appetizers, dinner and the program. If you can’t attend, but would still like to donate, donation forms can be found here (.pdf.)
For more information contact Cheryl Gohndrone – 206-290-4229 or cherylgo@frontier.com.