Soup Kitchen of Greater Wheeling Continues To Serve Through Pandemic
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WHEELING - The Soup Kitchen of Greater Wheeling continues to serve food so the hungry can eat seven days a week, though a modified serving schedule will remain through the fall.
Becky Shilling-Rodocker, executive of the soup kitchen, said the inside dining room will be closed until at least October or November. After that time, she hopes the soup kitchen can return to the prior schedule of serving breakfast and lunch there on weekdays and Saturdays.
With the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the soup kitchen changed how it operates. It presently is distributing meals on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Food is picked up outside at the curb.
But that doesn't mean any less food is being prepared or served.
Patrons receive the equivalent of two meals per person on Mondays and Wednesday. On Fridays, another two meals are handed out for the weekend, in addition to a cold cut sandwich.
Whether it is chicken, beef stroganoff or pizza that is being served, quantities of 200 are prepared for each food item, Shilling-Rodocker said.
The meals must all be packaged before pick-up, and the packaging adds to the overall costs.
A staff of only seven, along with two regular volunteers, are the only people allowed inside the soup kitchen. They work to prepare and package the meals. The routine has been in place since March.
"It seems like it would be easier, but it is really more difficult just due to the packaging," Shilling-Rodocker said. "Having the modified days seemed like it would give everyone a break, and it did at first. But now they (staff and volunteers) are coming in and cleaning on the days we don't serve.
"Everyone is kind of burned out. I think the whole country is seeing burnout from this, but it is hitting us hard."
She said the costs also are taking a financial toll on the soup kitchen. In addition, fundraisers such as the annual golf scramble and regularly scheduled soup sales have been canceled. Fundraisers usually taking place in the fall -- such as the Dishes and Special Wishes event -- also can't be planned
"We still have to pay the bills, and keep the lights on," she said. "People are scared -- about what the economy is going to do in the next couple of months, and what this virus is doing to people.
"Donations are definitely down."
Those wishing to donate should contact the soup kitchen at 304-233-2992, or send checks to the Soup Kitchen of Greater Wheeling, P.O. Box 146, Wheeling, WV 26003.
The soup kitchen also is accepting donations of vegetables from gardeners whose bounty is more than they can use. These can be in large or small amounts, and can be dropped off at curbside at the soup kitchen.
The soup kitchen is located at 1610 Eoff St. in downtown Wheeling.