Bethel UMC serves up warm meals on cold winter days

Lona Gilmore scooped a piping hot ladle of creamy chicken and rice soup into a bowl as Margaret McCarter yelled for another.

Chicken and rice seemed to be the favorite during Thursday’s lunch hour. Meanwhile, Brian Drawdy was poised in front of the hot pot of the vegetable sort.

The kitchen at Bethel United Methodist Church buzzed with volunteers as they served more than 400 people hot soup, sandwiches, corn bread and dessert.

None of the diners was asked to pay. A donation container with wads of cash sat next to the plastic spoons for those wanting to contribute.

Ruth Culp, who helps run the event, said the hundreds of visitors come together for “fellowshipping and enjoying the company and the food.”

Bethel’s soup kitchen began 30 years ago to serve “shut-ins” and those too sick to leave the hospital or their homes, Culp said.

“It gradually morphed into everyone in town,” she said.

Members of other churches donate food and volunteer their time to cook and serve. Some arrive before dawn to start cooking.

John Threatt, a member of Aldersgate United Methodist, said his church raised enough money to help out and enjoy a meal.

“We thought it was a nice way to get an afternoon meal and show our support,” he said.

Two-year-old Charlie Ware squealed as his mother, Emilee Ware, showed him a long table of desserts.

“We like to get some hot soup in our bellies when it’s cold outside,” she said as she grabbed a brownie.

This story was originally published January 7, 2016 at 10:15 PM with the headline "Bethel UMC serves up warm meals on cold winter days."