WSK Promo

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The Wildwood Soup Kitchen
An Ecumenical Ministry
Ver 1.7.200805
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whatsoever you do
for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was
thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger
and you welcomed me Matthew 2535
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At the Wildwood Soup Kitchen
we serve all who come to us
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Our Mission? Its simple
To serve healthy, nutritious and appetizing meals
to the poor, the hungry, and the lonely We also
deliver meals to shut-ins and others who are
unable to come to the Soup Kitchen while
providing person-to-person care
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Wildwood Soup Kitchen
Our History
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The Wildwood Soup Kitchen

• Begun in 1992 by Terri Stagg and Belen Sodergren
  of the Assembly of God Church in Oxford

• At first, meals were served only twice a week in
  the churchs fellowship hall

• Terri and Belen were assisted by Clair Dionne,
  Tom Claud and Ken Vance of the United Methodist
  Church of Wildwood

• Because Oxford was so far from Wildwood, the area
  of primary need, Terri petitioned the North
  Sumter Ministerial Association for a facility in
  Wildwood

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The Wildwood Soup Kitchen

• Bob Merrell, interim pastor at First Presbyterian
  Church in Wildwood offered his churchs facility,
  and the Soup Kitchen moved into its current home
  in August 1994

• On the first day, there were 20 guests and five
  meals were delivered to the home-bound

• At first, the Soup Kitchen was open only two days
  per week, but it gradually expanded to three days
  and finally to five days

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Our Host Church

• Today the First Presbyterian Church of Wildwood
  has the honor of hosting this ministry

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The Wildwood Soup Kitchen

• Since moving to its present location, the Kitchen
  has grown steadily

• In 2005, at the suggestion of Dan Clow, then the
  pastor of First Presbyterian Church, a Board of
  Directors was formed to provide guidance in
  addressing the growing needs of the Soup Kitchen

• Board members also assist in addressing the
  Kitchens day-to-day needs and operating
  requirements

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The Wildwood Soup Kitchen
What God has accomplished through this ecumenical
ministry

• Kitchen volunteers now prepare over 200 meals per
  day

• 100-125 meals are delivered daily to shut-ins and
  those who lack transportation

• Between 50 and 100 guests are served daily in the
  Kitchens dining room, Monday through Friday

• In 2008, we cooked and served or delivered 62,013
  meals, an 17 increase over 2007

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The Wildwood Soup Kitchen

• 39,684 meals in 2005
• 46,534 meals in 2006

• 52,790 meals in 2007
• 62,013 meals in 2008

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The Wildwood Soup Kitchen

• The Soup Kitchen serves a hot meal every day
  between 11 a.m. and 1230 p.m.

• There is no charge for meals, although donations
  are accepted

• The Soup Kitchen is funded completely by
  donations of money, food, equipment and services
  from individuals, businesses, local churches, and
  civic organizations

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The Wildwood Soup Kitchen
Emergency Preparedness Services

• Our high-wattage generator allows us to operate
  the Soup Kitchen 24x7 if necessary
• The Soup Kitchen partners with the American Red
  Cross to provide meals at the Wildwood shelter
  during times of natural disaster or other
  emergencies
• We also partner with the Salvation Army to
  provide meals for their mobile canteens during
  emergencies
• We are the sole provider of emergency hot meals
  in Northern Sumter County

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Wildwood Soup Kitchen
Our Volunteers
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The Churches of our Volunteers
Christian Church at Continental First Baptist
Church of Leesburg First Baptist Church of
Oxford First Baptist Church of the Villages First
Baptist Church of Wildwood First Presbyterian
Church of Wildwood HOPE Lutheran Church New
Bethel New Covenant United Methodist Church New
Creation Worship New Life Presbyterian
Church North Lake Presbyterian Church
Oxford Assembly of God Oxford United Methodist
Church Pilgrim's United Church of Christ Rock of
Ages Lutheran Church St. Mark the Evangelist
Catholic Church St. Paul Catholic Church St.
Timothy Catholic Church St. Vincent de Paul
Catholic Church Temple Shalom Union
Congregational Church of Tavares United Church of
Christ at The Villages Wildwood United Methodist
Church
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Soup Kitchen Volunteers
who give of themselves so faithfully
enabling the Wildwood Soup Kitchen to fulfill
its mission to provide for the immediate food
needs of the hungry
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Our Volunteers
I was hungry and you fed me
thirsty and you gave me drink
Gods Work
a stranger and you welcomed me...
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More Volunteers
Gods Work
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Soup Kitchen Volunteers

• The Wildwood Soup Kitchen has no paid staff, but
  is operated and managed solely by volunteers

• We have well over 100 volunteers who donate their
  time to support the Soup Kitchen as cooks,
  kitchen helpers, servers and drivers

• The Board of Directors currently consists of 10
  people, all regular Soup Kitchen volunteers

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Our Board of Directors

• Made up of volunteers, the Board of Directors
  sets policy, oversees all operations, and raises
  funds.

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The Soup Kitchen Covenant

• The Soup Kitchen Covenant is an agreement among
  all Soup Kitchen volunteers.
• It is both a statement of our shared beliefs and
  a guide for our ministry to those of Gods people
  whom we are called to serve.

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The Soup Kitchen Covenant

• We will treat each guest with respect and dignity
• We will preserve our guests personal safety of,
  protecting them against harassment of any kind.
• We will prepare and serve appetizing and healthy
  meals to our guests, allowing second servings
  whenever possible and while supplies last.
• Our guests honor us by accepting our hospitality,
  which we interpret as their heart-felt gratitude.
• Every volunteer accepts the responsibility of
  preserving peace and unity among her/his
  colleagues.

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The Wildwood Soup Kitchen
Our 11th CommandmentThou shalt have fun!
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How Can You Help?

• In addition to volunteers, our greatest need is
  always for financial contributions
• Many often make memorial donations in the name of
  loved ones
• Or as Birthday or Christmas gifts some donate 25,
  50 or 100 meals in someones name at 1 per meal.
• We have also been blessed with a number of
  generous bequests

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How Can You Help?

• We also have a continual need for donations of
  food. Ask for our list of desired foods
• And we need and ask for your prayers.
• Please help this necessary and growing ministry
  that struggles daily to meet the needs of those
  in our community who lack even the most basic
  necessities

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we are grateful
Thanks from our volunteers and guests
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How to find out more

• You can visit our website at
• www.wildwoodsoupkitchen.com
• You can send us an email to
• mail_at_wildwoodsoupkitchen.com
• You can call us (M-F from 8 a.m. to noon) at
• [phone]
• Or you can visit us at
• 203 Barwick St., Wildwood, Florida 34785

Dana McCarthy 5/2008