Wesley Soup Kitchen Receives $17,000 Donation Before Christmas

SAN ANGELO, TX – With Christmas right around the corner, First United Methodist Church and its congregation came together to make a real difference in the community. On Monday afternoon members of the church presented a check for over $17,000 to the Wesley Soup Kitchen.

Wesley is a community soup kitchen that provides over 150 meals per day, six days a week. By the end of the year, the soup kitchen will have fed over 50,000 meals in San Angelo, which truly highlights the impact that these meals have on feeding those who need it the most in the city. The soup kitchen is hosted by Wesley Trinity United Methodist Church.

Reverend Scott Bradford, of the First United Methodist Church, created a fundraising effort within his congregation to provide the soup kitchen with the funds to purchase a new stove and vent hood. The current appliances in use are over 25 years old and according to the reverend have led to many bumped heads on the low vent hood. The donations up to this moment total $17, 391.69, but as the reverend stated more funds will be donated in the coming weeks.

“It shows the vitality of this ministry and our church wanting to support it,” said Bradford. “We recognize the need even though it is not our ministry; it’s something for the good of the community.”

WATCH: First United Methodist Church Presents Check to Wesley Soup Kitchen

The kitchen’s director, Pam Burke, emphasized the impact that the donation can have for the soup kitchen. Wesley Daily Bread Lunch Program has been in operation since 1984 and has been crucial in providing warm meals in the community for decades. With old and antiquated appliances, it can be difficult to keep up with the number of patrons that visit the soup kitchen daily.

“The donation means a lot,” said Burke. “What this will let us do is start to replace those items that need to be replaced badly.”

Wesley Soup Kitchen is open six days a week, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The meals served consist of nourishing homemade soup or stew, and/or a main dish served with meat and vegetable, bread, dessert, drinks, and often other side dishes. On Christmas Day they will be serving the usual meals in addition to smoked turkeys and hams, along with all the trimmings. A choir will also be performing, and gifts will be provided to everyone that attends.

Wesley also provides medical services with a nurse on staff that can provide referrals as well as helping with drug costs. West Texas Counseling and Guidance is also on-site and they provide group therapy sessions. For individuals requiring a one-on-one session, they are encouraged to contact the soup kitchen to make an appointment. A clothes closet is also made available for men and women several times a week.

Wesley Soup Kitchen is located at 301 West 18th Street. Make sure to follow them on Facebook for updates and information. Visit the Daily Soup Lunch Program website to learn more about the program, volunteer and make a donation.