MONCKS CORNER, S.C. (WCBD) – A Berkeley County church is expanding its soup kitchen to meet the growing need for food assistance.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Monday at Moncks Corner Baptist Church.
“This soup kitchen is a blessing to the community. They feed the underserved, the low to moderate income, the homeless, the sick and those who can't get out and about. And they always do it with a smile,” said Michelle Taylor, church administrator.
The soup kitchen is open four days a week and has seen a significant increase in the number of people seeking assistance since it began operating in 2015.
“Numbers have grown. We started out feeding about 175 people a month, but the last we saw it was over 500,” Taylor said.
The church has received about $250,000 in Berkeley County Community Development Block Grant funding to build a 900-square-foot building to expand its soup kitchen operations.
Moncks Corner Mayor Thomas Hamilton said the department is paying $150 a week for food.
“It's $150 a week, so with the salary that the Town of Moncks Corner pays me every month, I'm going to pay for a week's worth of food for the soup kitchen,” Hamilton said at Monday's groundbreaking. “Thank you all for your work.”
And the kitchen meets the needs.
“I saw soup kitchen volunteers serving meals to families living in their cars. It was just heartbreaking,” Taylor said.
Berkeley County Supervisor Johnny Cribb said taxpayer dollars are effective in helping those in need through these already established services.
“They're outgrowing their space. There's a huge need. There are a lot of people in the community who are making daily decisions between taking their prescription medication or eating out. These meals provided three or four days a week really help families in need,” said Superintendent Cribb.
Officials with Moncks Corner Baptist Church say they should be able to open the new building sometime next year.
