Gettysburg Community Soup Kitchen

Left to Right: Carla Pavlick, Community Outreach Liaison, Mary Daniel, Board Chair, and Jan Guillory, Director of the Gettysburg Community Soup Kitchen with William Hunter, the Market Manager for Walmart, and Barbara Ernico, President, Adams County Community Foundation Board of Directors at the May 6th Adams County Community Foundation Annual Celebration. Walmart was recognized as the 2012 Community Partner in the Fight Against Hunger in Adams County for their grant of $25,000 to the Gettysburg Community Soup Kitchen.

Just a heads up that we’ve just mailed out the Annual Appeal. I must admit that asking for funds is one of my least favorite things to do. But I am also incredibly grateful that we have such wonderful supporters that this is something that we need to do only once per year. If you’re on the receiving end of this request, please rest assured that your support not only stays in our community, but it does so much to help your neighbors in need. On behalf of the unemployed, the sick, the lonely, and the disenfranchised – Thank You!!!!

…. just one of the items we’re buying with the $25,000 from Wal-Mart Foundation. The really big ticket item — the new energy efficient windows — will take a little longer to arrive! However, we’ll greatly appreciate them when the winter heating bills arrive!

It has been an especially busy summer at the Soup Kitchen. While the number of people is a hard target to count (since it isn’t the same people each day), we served a record total of 1,327 meals in July.

On Juy 24th, we saw 44 people for Taco Casserole from Saint James… 50 people on the 12th for Saint Mary’s shepherd’s pie… And 42 on the 17th for Gettysburg United Methodist’s zucchini casserole. [We just LOVE zucchinni season at the Soup Kitchen!] Thank you so much to the MANY local churches and volunteers who make this possible!

We are incredibly thrilled to share that the Walmart Community Foundation has given the Soup Kitchen a grant for $25,000. These funds will allow us to lower future utility costs by upgrading our windows and to purchase the remaining appliances and equipment in our new space. Again, THANKS!!!

The photo shows our director, Jan Guillory, with William Hunters, the Market Manager for Walmart in our Region.

On April 15th we served our first Sunday meal. Thanks to the new facilities in Peace House, we are now able to serve a hot midday meal EVERY day!

Thanks to everyone who came out this afternoon for the Open House and especially to Rev. Kate Kelderman for organizing such a wonderful Blessing of the new facilities and the many other members of the ministerium who participated in the ceremony. We’d also like to thank Major Troxell for coming to cut the Ribbon for the grand opening.

Yes, we HAVE moved! The newly renovated Soup Kitchen is now located in Peace House, directly across the alley from our previous location. Our mailing address remains the same, but we have  a new phone number, (717) 334-2773.

Obviously, we have MUCH news to share!  We hope to update this website in the near future, as time permits.

In the meantime, for up-to-date Soup Kitchen news and photos, please visit our Facebook page – Gettysburg Community Soup Kitchen. Thanks!

After 20 years in the basement of Prince of Peace Episcopal church, the Gettysburg Community Soup Kitchen begins the new year in a new location. On Wednesday January 4th, the Soup Kitchen physically moves into the newly renovated Peace House (the old Saint Francis rectory). Gastley’s Moving company, which is generously offering their expert help, will arrive shortly after lunch is served. The goal is to move after lunch on the 4th (Wednesday) with lunch on the 5th (Thursday) to be served in the new location.

Currently, the Soup Kitchen serves a hot nutritious lunch Monday through Saturday. After the move, lunch will be served seven days a week. For information about the Soup Kitchen, the move, and how you can help, please contact Denise Weldon-Siviy, Community Outreach Liaison at outreach@gettysburgsoupkitchen.org.

We are absolutely thrilled to report that the Soup Kitchen has received a grant from the Adams County Foundation to purchase a commercial dishwasher our new location. In addition to allowing us to be more environmentally responsible, the purchase of a commercial dishwasher will allow us to save quite a bit of money. In 2010, we spent $2,275 on paper goods to purchase disposable serving ware (plates, cups and bowls) and plastic eating utensils.

2011 is shaping up to be a fantastic year! No more disposable plate expenses or excess trash! We’re looking forward to being clean, green and compassionate. What a great combination! Thank you SO much Adams County Foundation!!!!