By JUDD WEIL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After two years of its operation being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Christian Soup Ministry in Hutchinson is back to standards and ready to serve with the 36th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner on Nov. 23.
The annual Thanksgiving dinner started when the ministry was still on Avenue F. It started with four turkeys.
Thirty-six years later, Christian Soup Ministry now cooks 20 turkeys to feed people in need.
“We haven’t done it for the last two years because of the pandemic, so Dillons provided a chicken dinner for us, these last two years,” explained Stanley Murdock, Director of Christian Soup Ministry. “But we’re back to our regular turkey dinner.”
The turkeys, as well as almost everything else that will make up the dinner, are all contributions by the community. The only things not donated by the public are pies and bread rolls, which are provided by Kroger.
“Our love for the community,” Murdock said. “That’s why we do the soup kitchen every day, because we love doing things for the community and we want to see people not go hungry.”
Christian Soup Ministry’s mission statement is: “To feed the body and soul.”
According to Murdock, the soup kitchen feeds around 100 people each day it is open.
She has been with Christian Soup Ministry for 32 years.
The itinerary for the Thanksgiving dinner begins with a devotion at 11:45 a.m., then the meal will be served from noon to 2 p.m.
“My brother, a chef with Crestview Country Club in Wichita, he comes over and makes our dressings and gravy for us every year,” Murdock said.
Leftovers will be sent home with attendees.
Murdock said Christian Soup Ministry still needs volunteers and donated foods, especially turkeys, by Nov. 21.
She is also encouraging people to sign up to have meals delivered to their homes if they cannot make it to the dinner. People need to be signed up by 6 p.m., Nov. 21.
Home deliveries will start at 10 a.m., the same day as the dinner.
“We already have about eight people that will deliver the meals,” Murdock said. “But people needing meals need to sign up and this is the one time they can sign up without a medical referral.”
“They just need to call me and give me their address and how many meals they need so I can get them on the list.”
Murdock said this is the only time of year where they deliver to everybody.
The dinner will take place at Christian Soup Ministry located at 301 E. Third Ave.
Christian Soup Ministry is open to those in need on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Meals are served at 5 p.m.
If you are in need, have more questions, would like to sign up for home delivery, or are interested in volunteering, please call 620-662-6468.
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