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Soup Kitchen
The Extended Table Soup Kitchen
The Extended Table Soup Kitchen has been a vital part of LIFT-UP’s service to hungry people for more than a decade.
The Extended Table was launched in 1995, when Steve and Rachael Carcaterra conceived the idea, and found support from their church, The Glenwood Mennonite Church, along with other area churches. (Steve served as the executive director of LIFT-UP from 1997-2002.)
The First Methodist Church offered the use of their kitchen and fellowship hall to host the soup kitchen, and their generosity has continued all of these years.
The Extended Table was brought under the umbrella of LIFT-UP right from the beginning to make it a community service that would not be associated with with any particular church or individual, and to provide a channel for people to donate to the outreach.
Over the years, many churches, organizations and individuals have volunteered to take from one to five nights per month at the Extended Table, making it possible for the soup kitchen to be run at a very low annual cost. Generally, the volunteer team in charge of an evening also purchases, prepares and serves the food.
Demand has grown steadily over the past ten years, with up to 1,000 meals served in a month. A typical night will have anywhere from 30 to 80 people in attendance, with an average of around 50. As of August of 2008, 6,097 meals have been served with volunteers giving 2,375 hours to serve their hungry neighbors.
The Extended Table has made it possible for anyone in need to find a good meal, five nights a week -- no questions asked. LIFT-UP sincerely thanks all who have helped keep it going strong over the years.
Extended Table serves dinners Monday through Friday from 5 - 6 p.m
To find out more about volunteering at The Extended Table, please phone 945-2005.