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Soups on at Redwine Methodist for monthly meal
Gainesville church begins program to feed needy neighbors
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Members of Redwine United Methodist Church have prayer before opening their first ever soup kitchen in the church fellowship hall Saturday afternoon. The church will have the kitchen open from 2-4 p.m. the first Saturday of each month.

Area soup kitchens

Redwine United Methodist Church

When: 2-4 p.m. first Saturdays

Where: 3285 Poplar Springs Road, Gainesville

Contact: 770-536-5164

United Methodist Women's Group

When: 6-8 p.m. Thursdays

Where: St. Paul United Methodist Church, 705 Summit St., Gainesville

Redwine United Methodist Church held the first of its monthly soup kitchens Saturday.

Volunteers from the ministry prepared two different soups and sandwiches, with cake for dessert.

Amber Ericson, a member of the church, pulled the idea to hold a soup kitchen from a workshop the church held last year.

"Several folks were interested and now we're finally going to see it happen. Hopefully we'll get a response," Ericson said.

The church plans to holds its soup kitchen from 2-4 p.m. the first Saturday each month.

The volunteers prepared enough food to feed 100 people, from homemade tomato and chicken soups to grilled cheese and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

"There's been a lot of word spreading through the other ministries we work with, so we're hoping we'll get some folks from the other resources that provide for people in need as well," Ericson said.

In the spirit of service, the ministry plans to donate any food left over from the soup kitchen to a local food bank.

"We want to serve our community through outreach because the community is important. We're all very blessed and we just want to share that," Ericson said.

Pastor Mike Outlaw stopped by to show his support for the soup kitchen.

"The secret I believe is getting the word out," said Outlaw. "We hope that it will be something that will grow and benefit people."

In February or March, Redwine United Methodist Church plans expand the soup kitchen by adding a thrift store for those in need, located in the youth center's basement.