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Food for the Soul enters 10th year of service
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Miss Camden Teen 2019 Maggie Knotts (sixth from left) helps Food for the Soul board members and others celebrate its 10th year of service. Maggie’s platform is awareness of hunger and homelessness.
Updated: Feb. 19, 2019, 1 a.m.

Now in its 10th year of service, Food for the Soul (FFTS) is announcing a new slate of board members and a partnership with Miss Camden Teen 2019 Maggie Knotts.

“She has adopted hunger and homelessness as her platform, and attended the first meeting of 2019,” FFTS Board Vice Chair Robin McAlpine said in a press release.

In celebrating the milestone, McAlpine shared the following history and information about the organization:

In 2008, several Kershaw County residents envisioned a ministry that would serve the hungry and homeless in the community. With the financial gifts of two local residents, they started to build their dream. A volunteer board began meeting in December 2008. The first meal was served on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, and was in partnership with Mt. Moriah Baptist Church of Camden. FFTS started by partnering with Mt. Morah to expand its program by initially adding one day of service per week.

In December, 2010, FFTS completed construction on a new facility on the United Way of Kershaw County’s campus and, in November 2011, FFTS opened its doors for the first time to overnight guests due to inclement weather.

Now, FFTS is an independent 501(c)(3) organization, and serves lunch to an average of 60 people a day. The shelter is open seven days a week for those needing a place to sleep, wash their clothes and eat dinner. Breakfast is served to approximately 30 guests daily. On Monday’s the soup kitchen’s Meal on the Go Program delivers food to Bethune and Cassatt, serving those who live in the outlying areas.

FFTS also serves as the emergency shelter for Kershaw County residents with handicaps or disabilities. In addition to the staff that prepares meals, manage and clean the shelter, a part-time case manager works with guests to find permanent housing, employment or fulfill any special needs they may require.

“What started as a vision of a few has grown to serve many,” McAlpine said. “Their mission to end hunger and homelessness in Kershaw County cannot be done without support from the community. We need hands to help, minds to plan, and hearts to donate money to buy food. Please join our cause.”

For more information about FFTS, call (803) 432-4771, or visit the kitchen and shelter at 110 East DeKalb St. in Camden.