Jean Gordon
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 10:54 am

Rev. Toni Belhu (second from left) with Jericho Road soup kitchen volunteers. Photo Contributed.

St. Gabriel's "Jericho Road" Soup Kitchen is celebrating its new kitchen and dining area after a major renovation as the soup kitchen continues to serve more than 200 people each Wednesday. Soup Kitchen hours are 10 am to 12 noon.

The public is invited to the grand reopening of Jericho Road Soup Kitchen on Sunday, July 28 from 2:30 to 4:30pm.

Over the past two years the church has written grants and held fundraisers to raise $150,000 for the kitchen renovation, said Rev. Toni Belhu.

"Our generous donors included foundations in western North Carolina and a large donor close to Charlotte," said Rev. Belhu. "We are so grateful for the continued support of the St. Gabriel's "Jericho Road" Soup Kitchen."

The ministry was begun over 20 years ago by Helen Lynch and the late Rev. Deacon Bobby.

"We pray that with the renovation, we will be in the community at least 20 more years," Belhu said.

With its leaders and volunteers, the church serves meals to neighbors in the extended Rutherfordton area every Wednesday. The church is grateful for the volunteer support of St. Francis Episcopal Church, the Presbyterian Church in Rutherfordton, Ruff'ton Roots, and others to maintain the soup kitchen.