The Disciples’ Kitchen was
conceived in the summer of 2007 as an inter-denominational Christian
ministry. The disciples began serving
lunches September 18, 2007 every Tuesday and Thursday with serving teams
representing seven churches.
The idea
for starting the ministry began within the Second Presbyterian Church of
Waynesboro, VA. Leadership was initially
provided by Second Presbyterian Church, in conjunction with the Team Leaders
from each of the serving teams. In the
first few weeks, the number of meals served was averaging about 10 per
day. From there the average steadily
climbed as more churches and civic organizations also signed up to help
shoulder the task of providing the lunches.
By June of 2008, Monday lunch
was added to the serving schedule. The
number of meals served had totaled 3900, with as many as 40 to 50 people coming for
each meal. By this point 17 churches and
3 civic organizations had joined the ministry. Leaders from Second Presbyterian Church proposed that an advisory board
be formed, to take on the leadership of the ministry. By the end of the summer, a board was formed
and the first officers were elected.
|
 |
| Thanksgiving 2010 |
|
|
The ministry continued to expand
during 2009 with over 12,000 meals served to nearly 1,000 different
clients. The average number of meals served daily continues to increase and we have had over 100 on a few days. By mid-2011, ministry support has grown to 30 churches and civic groups and close to 250 active volunteers. And, the number of meals served has now surpassed 30,000. Early in 2010 Disciples' Kitchen was incorporated, filed for non-profit status, and was awarded 501(c)(3) status by the IRS on September 24, 2010.
God has truly blessed our work. We have had donations from many churches and individuals, with continuing support from the CROP Walk, the annual fund-raisers hosted by Stone Soup Books in Waynesboro, and the New Life Ministries
Golf tournament. These donations have
been instrumental in keeping the lights and the heat on, and meeting a few
facility needs also. We have had regular
food drops from Food Lion, Starbucks, Big Apple Bagels, Ming Garden Chinese
Restaurant, Pepperidge Farm and others.
Please pray for this ministry as
we move into 2012. With the uncertain
economy and unemployment at historic levels, the needs continue to rise every
day.
|
|