story & photo
by Angela Olsen
(l-r) Co-founders, Mary Chapman Howland, Mystic, and Sue Lantelme, Ledyard, know that F.A.M.I.L.Y. Kitchen, a soup kitchen at the Faith Lutheran Church, Groton, is needed now more than ever.
While “Forbes 400” released its list of wealthiest Americans today, there are many residents living in our communities struggling to feed their families. Mary Chapman Howland, Mystic, speaks with enthusiasm at the Faith Lutheran Church, Groton, about F.A.M.I.L.Y. (Forget About Me, I Love You) Kitchen. It’s the brainchild of her, Sue Lantelme, Ledyard and the residents.
On a tour of the facility, located inside the church, the two women explain how perhaps divine intervention brought them together to wage this crusade against hunger. Following a walk through the surrounding neighborhoods, asking what the congregation could do for the community, Sue discovered that people needed food!
At the same time, the ink was barely dry on an opinion piece penned by Mary about the need of a soup kitchen in Groton. The women joined forces and are now serving up to 70 people every Monday night, and the number is growing!
The women first met in October 2009, and Mary, who had prior experience running the Sunshine Kitchen at Fitch Middle School, knew that it would take nearly nine months to get up and running. They had to get their 501c3 Status, approval from Ledge Light Health Department, as well as, an umbrella insurance policy. Their first dinner was May 3rd, and as the program is gaining momentum, it is also running out of money!
The kitchen has no paid employees, everyone volunteers their time. They opted to not receive government funding, which would require the attendees provide personal information. The face of poverty is changing and perhaps divulging such private information would actually deter people from seeking assistance.
Thus far, the kitchen has provided formula and baby food to families with little ones, but is in dire need of cash and gift cards to continue doing so. “If people would just skip Starbucks for a day, they could donate $20,” suggests Mary.
For more information, please visit www.ctfamilykitchen.org or or call Mary on her cell 860.460.3405. Donations can be mailed to: F.A.M.I.L.Y Kitchen, c/o Cheryl Crocker, 66 Pepperbox Drive, Waterford, CT 06385
Posted on September 29th, 2010 | category: Featured Articles
