HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The Rose of Sharon Soup Kitchen has become more than a place that serves food to the community. " We are their family, and we take that very seriously", Director Theresa Wilson shares. "We love these people from our hearts. We've always done things warmly here. It's not a cold feel, you know, where people have an appointment and they're sitting over a desk with us where we're out in in the camps, in the community, doing what we do, making friendships, walking with people, you know, just doing life with them."
Recently, inflation has taken a toll on the kitchen and keeping the lights on has become a struggle. "This year has been really tough on us as far as financial donations," Wilson shares. "The economy is horrible and everybody's feeling it when we go to the grocery store and everywhere else. So, it's no different here, but we rely on the community. We are not federally funded where we don't get any money except from private donations and grants."
In a recent Facebook post Theresa Wilson said the kitchen was in need of a miracle." We've been getting enough food and things like that, but just the financial donations to keep the lights on and keep us operating along with Shower Up giving the showers that we do, using the water that we do and serving meals to over 300 people," Wilson shares. " So, we we've been struggling for a while now and just need the community help."
The response has helped keep the doors open -- and the kitchen cooking. "We have been pleading with the community for a few weeks now, and we have gotten such a great response. Wilson shares. "So, we urge all the community to come together, come down and see me, take a tour, see what we do."
They are looking for new ways to get food to those in need. "We're going to be providing an open pantry in lieu of hot meals right now and that'll be outside," Wilson explains. "We'll have fruits, vegetables, meats, and milk. anybody who's struggling in the community can come on down and shop at our open pantry."
Donations normally tick up around the holidays and Wilson is hoping that this year will be no different. "Our goal is to get to Thanksgiving because during the holidays people donate more freely and it usually sustains us all year long. So, if we can make it to Thanksgiving, which we serve 400 people here on Thanksgiving Day as a family, we'll be out of the woods."
In light of this change in operations, Wilson says there is no plans of shutting down. "The Rosa Sharon will continue to serve till the wheels fall off of this place," Wilson explains. "That's why we're doing the community open market where you can come down and get groceries. Our hearts are to serve our community, and we'll do that in whatever capacity we have with whatever funding we have."
Donations can be made on their website.