Faith&Friends
COMMON GROUND
Serving From Both Sides of the Counter The people I’ve met at Sally’s Kitchen are more of a blessing to me than I could ever be to them. by Paula Geister
The Kitchen Help Paula Geister (right) with one of seven “Love Thy Neighbor Food Pantry” teams that serve at Sally’s Kitchen
S
ometime during the spring of 2003, I volunteered to join a team that came in once a month to prep and serve food at Sally’s Kitchen, The Salvation Army’s soup kitchen in Battle Creek, Michigan. The Salvation Army has a reputation for helping people through activities I believe in. People I know personally have benefited from children’s afterschool programs, emergency disaster services, and food baskets at Christmas and Thanksgiving.
The people who come to Sally’s work, don’t work, live alone, have families, eat a lot or eat just a little. Being able to get one hot meal in 24 hours has been the case for some. Others come in because they’re trying to stretch their grocery money. I saw right away from behind the counter that the kitchen has its “regulars.” They’re all different, and I’ve enjoyed getting to know many of them over the years. But that started by simply asking someone his or her name.
faithandfriends.ca I NOVEMBER 2020
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