GREENSBORO, Ga. — Our Father’s Kitchen, a weekly community soup kitchen, continues to bring hope and nourishment to the Greensboro-Lake Oconee area by offering a free nutritious lunch every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Family Life Center at First Methodist Church Greensboro – Lake Oconee. This ministry, which originated during the COVID-19 pandemic, has blossomed into a vital community effort supported by volunteers and donors from across the area.

Food insecurity remains a pressing issue in the United States, with approximately 33.8 million people, including 9.3 million children, living in food-insecure households, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For those facing challenges in accessing consistent, nutritious meals, initiatives like Our Father’s Kitchen play a critical role in addressing hunger at the local level. Each Saturday, the ministry serves approximately 100 lunches, ensuring individuals and families in the community have access to a free, nutritious meal.

Our Father’s Kitchen was born out of the combined efforts of four local churches — Episcopal, Presbyterian, Historic Springfield Baptist, and Methodist — as well as the Rotary Club of Greene and Putnam Counties. What began as an emergency response to the challenges of the pandemic has grown into a lasting tradition of care, providing a warm meal and a sense of fellowship to anyone in need. Volunteers from the participating churches prepare and serve the meals, fostering a spirit of generosity and connection.

Now, thanks to broad community support, both financial and through the dedication of volunteers, Our Father’s Kitchen continues to thrive. Each week, this initiative creates a welcoming and inclusive space where all are invited to share a meal and connect with one another.

“Our Father’s Kitchen is more than just a meal — it’s a testament to what can happen when a community comes together to serve its neighbors with compassion,” said board Chair Beth Lewis, a representative of the ministry. “This ministry is sustained by the generosity of so many, and we are grateful for the opportunity to make a difference.”

For more information about Our Father’s Kitchen, to volunteer, or to donate, please visit www.ourfatherskitchenga.com. Together, we can continue to nourish both body and spirit, one meal at a time.