Earlier this month, all Mississippi agencies and staff were invited to participate in USDA’s Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service by volunteering two hours of their time to a non-profit organization of their choice. Three USDA Rural Development Mississippi State Office employees, Jennifer Jimerson, Ericka Butler, and Michelle Wilkerson volunteered at Stewpot Community Services in Jackson, serving meals for lunch.
The very heart of Stewpot is the noon meal its staff and volunteers serve each day of the year. This meal serves as the center of each day as well as the heart of the Stewpot philosophy. Rich and poor, black and white … all God’s children come together over a nourishing meal. More than 120 people a day are physically and spiritually fed in the community kitchen and 50 meals are delivered to shut-ins in the area. Volunteers are always needed to lend a hand in the Stewpot Community Kitchen.
USDA Rural Development employees began volunteering at Stewpot Community Services during USDA’s 2012 Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service. “After volunteering in 2012, staff has continued to support the organization by volunteering throughout the year. USDA Rural Development works each day to help rural communities, so we want to support organizations that offer assistance in their communities and who strive to help those in need,” said State Director for USDA Rural Development Mississippi, Trina George.
Anyone is welcome to eat the Stewpot noon meal. Over 60,000 meals are served each year, and more than 7,000 volunteers serve in the community kitchen each year. Volunteers work as a team to make the plates for the Meals on Wheels program as well as the plates for everyone in the dining room. Volunteers serve the plates and drinks to everyone who has come to Stewpot for the noon meal. Approximately 10 volunteers are needed each day of the week to keep this rewarding ministry going. Stewpot, which began as simple soup kitchen, has developed into an organization offering several different programs – from shelter, to clothing, to counseling, to children’s programs.
To learn more about how you can help serve residents of your community click here.
Ericka Butler, Michelle Wilkerson, and Jennifer Jimerson. USDA Rural Development staff volunteered at Stewpot Community Services on USDA’s Martin Luther King Jr. National Day of Service.
