The Gift of Grace Soup Kitchen celebrated 25 years of service to the community in 2016. Serving between 40 to 80 hot meals every Tuesday, the Gift of Grace Soup Kitchen plays a large part in our community and we see it as a way of fulfilling the call of Jesus Christ to serve those in need.
On March 19, 2016 the Midland Mirror published an article on the Gift of Grace Soup Kitchen. http://www.simcoe.com/news-story/6391323-midland-s-gift-of-grace-soup-kitchen-celebrates-25-years/
Midland’s Gift of Grace soup kitchen celebrates 25 years
Founded in 1991 by volunteers from Knox Presbyterian Church
Midland Mirror
Midland’s Gift of Grace soup kitchen is celebrating 25 years of service to the less fortunate in our community.
The soup kitchen opened its doors at March 19, 1991, after being founded by a group of volunteers from Knox Presbyterian Church. Since then, the church says it has served well over 65,000 meals to those in need.
Every Tuesday morning at 10:30 a.m., in the church’s Dorothy Swallow Hall, volunteers gather to provide food for the less fortunate.
Rev. Alton J. Ruff, pastor of Knox Presbyterian, said guests of the soup kitchen find not only warm food but also friendships and a welcoming place to gather.
“It’s more than just a meal, it’s also a community,” he said. “People develop friendships with the staff and with each other, and have a great time.”
Ruff said about 50 people go to Gift of Grace every week on average. He said that some of the people are just “passing through,” but many attend regularly.
Ruff said the Midland community is also involved, with local businessness and individuals providing food and financial support.
“A lot of people think of us if they have a party or a wedding and they have leftover food,” he said. “And they donate it as long as it’s healthy and in good shape.”
Ruff said the majority of volunteers are parishoners at the church, but Gift of Grace welcomes everyone who wants to lend a hand.
“A few of the volunteers probably don’t go to church at all, but just want to help,” he said.
In addition to their usual Tuesday morning meal, Gift of Grace also provides ham or turkey dinners at Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.