Soup Kitchen of Greater Wheeling Dining Room Open to All
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WHEELING -- The dining room at the Soup Kitchen of Greater Wheeling is once again a "happy place," and both the vaccinated and unvaccinated are welcome and being served, according to executive director Becky Shilling-Rodocker.
The soup kitchen continued operations during the pandemic, but did close its dining room for a time. During that period, patrons instead picked up dinners to go from the curb.
The dining room is now fully open — and is also a place for the community to come get COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, as well as flu shots from health care professionals if they so wish, Shilling-Rodocker said.
"We're back into the full swing of Christmas, and now everybody eats inside," she said. "We are back to being a happy place where everyone can feel safe. We are open, and want everybody to come down and eat.
"If they want it to go and take their meals home because they don't yet feel safe, we give them everything they would get here."
Shilling-Rodocker said all staff members have been fully vaccinated for COVID, as have most of the volunteers. She estimates that one in four patrons may not be vaccinated, but everyone is permitted to come into the dining room to eat whether or not they have had their COVID shots.
The patrons have an opportunity to get their shots while they are at the soup kitchen.
Matt Rafa, pharmacist at the Kroger pharmacy in Warwood, provides vaccinations at the soup kitchen "two to three times a week" based on his schedule, Shilling-Rodocker said.
In addition, Wheeling Health Right employees come every second and fourth Wednesday of the month to give shots. The health care professionals also provide information and answer any medical questions the patrons might have, she said.
"If they choose to get it, they get it -- or they go sit down and eat," Shilling-Rodocker said.
While vaccinations aren't required of patrons who wish to dine inside the soup kitchen, they should wear a mask.
"We are practicing a safe environment. Everyone is wearing a mask until they sit down to eat," she said. "We have never required a vaccination to eat in the dining room. Never," she said.
The kitchen has resumed its children's night dinners from 3:30 pm. to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. This week, staff and volunteers prepared for its annual children's Christmas dinner, during which 170 children received presents from Santa.
The youths wrote letters to Santa telling them their Christmas wishes, and these were matched up with soup kitchen volunteers serving as elves who went out and did the shopping.
Some of the volunteers are matched with the same children from the time the youths are babies until they turn 18, Shilling-Rodocker said. Families eligible for the program are those who regularly attend the Wednesday night children's dinners.
The soup kitchen also planned to host its regular Christmas luncheon for patrons today.
The soup kitchen is open Monday through Friday. A continental breakfast is served from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., with lunch being available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. With the Christmas and New Year holidays falling on Saturdays, the soup kitchen will not be closed any day during the holiday season.