Community Unites for Soup Kitchen
by Randy Pierce
Lots of snow and bitter cold during the month of January did not keep volunteers representing several community groups and local churches from coming forth for serving meals for those in need as part of Collinsville’s SOS Spirit of Sharing Soup Kitchen program.
Conducted on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, sometimes in a dine-in setting and others as a drive-through service, many of the offerings provided this month were indicative of Collinsville’ strong Italian heritage.
Starting on Thursday, January 2, 184 people enjoyed a meal consisting of pork sausage, mashed potatoes and gravy and a vegetable as St. John United Church of Christ hosted the SOS effort that evening.
The extreme weather conditions necessitated a cancellation the following Tuesday, January 7, but then a couple days later, a team of volunteers from the Collinsville Junior Service Club served 210 people who enjoyed toasted ravioli, Italian green beans and apple crisp, also at St. John United Church of Christ.
A significant turnout of members of the Collinsville-Maryville-Caseyville Rotary Club were present at First Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, January 14, to present meals consisting of Italian beef sandwiches, chips and a banana to 215 recipients.
Under the leadership of Jim Blaha on Thursday, January 16, parishioners from Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church operated a drive-through meal service at St. John UCC with 149 participants getting mostaccioli, Italian green beans and garlic bread.
For the Tuesday, January 21 soup kitchen event, the Collinsville Sunrise Kiwanis Club members provided volunteers who handed out meals consisting of Alfredo pasta with chicken and broccoli to 169 individuals.
Rounding out January prior to this week, last Thursday, January 23, featured a group from Holy Cross Lutheran Church and School cooking up ham and beans for 137 patrons.
The Collinsville-Maryville-Caseyville Rotary Club was one of several local community groups that provided volunteers for the SOS Spirit of Sharing Soup Kitchen program this month.
