Coronavirus closed Rock Hill soup kitchen. Now it will re-open, but without seats
A Rock Hill soup kitchen closed for a month over coronavirus concerns will re-open Thursday but, unlike other York County places that serve food during the Covid-19 pandemic, there will not be any outdoor seating.
The Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen will offer free carry-out lunches, said Tim Helline, president of the non-profit that has served more than a million meals since 1986. The soup kitchen closed April 2 because of concerns over coronavirus.
The kitchen has decided to re-open serving to-go food until the pandemic situation eases, Helline said. The kitchen will be resume normal operating hours of meals served Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
There will be a drive-through line for cars and bicycles, and a walk-through line, Helline said.
“There is a huge need for the poor, the hungry, the homeless to get at least one good nutritious meal a day and we are going to get back to serving that,” Helline said. “We will not allow any gathering, no eating on-site. We are making sure this is a safe way to help people.”
The soup kitchen is a non-profit staffed by volunteers from churches, civic groups and other organizations. The food comes from donations and some grants, and is prepared on-site by volunteers.
After The Herald reported the closure of the kitchen in early April because of Covid-19 pandemic, the kitchen received several donations to help it return to service, Helline said.
“The community has been great as it always has been,” Helline said.
The kitchen is at 902 Crawford Road. Anyone interested in meals, volunteer service or donations can contact Board President Tim Helline through the soup kitchen Web site, or the organization Facebook page. Tim Heline can be reached directly at timhelline@gmail.com, or call him at 803-242-8953.
