Soup Kitchen moves to new location

By PAMELA GRANT
Cove Leader-Press 

The Copperas Cove Soup Kitchen is making the move to a bigger, better location so they will be better able to serve the community. The Soup Kitchen is now located at 501 North Main Street. The Food Box and Dog Box have been moved to the new location as well.
The soup kitchen will not be serving lunch or dinner as they work on getting everything set up. Volunteers have already moved everything from the old location to the new one, but they are looking for more volunteers to help with cleaning, organizing, and setting up the new location.
Patrick Richardson, the director of the Copperas Cove Soup Kitchen, estimates that the building is three times the size of their old building. He has a lot of plans on how the new, bigger facility will be able to support even more programs to help even more people than they were able to before.
In addition to the food pantry, kitchen, and dining room, they will also have a large outside area, seating area, and even a game room for kids. The building already came with some furniture and even a bookshelf full of books. Richardson said that he hopes they’ll be able to acquire some computers so that the kids can use them to do homework. He also hopes that they will be able to start a “dress for success” program once they get everything else up and running.
“It’s a huge building,” said Richardson. “We can serve the community a little better—incorporate a couple more programs…It’s going to be really nice. There’s going to be so much that we can do.”
Richardson said that he started the soup kitchen after seeing the need in the community. He said he doesn’t like seeing people go hungry, especially the homeless children. Richardson said somebody had to do it, and he had the means at the time.
“When you talk to him, you can see that his heart is in the right place,” said volunteer coordinator Audrey Russell about Richardson. Russell is a military spouse and stay-at-home mom, so she has time during the week and wants to help where she can. “I see a lot of potential and a lot that the community can really benefit from.”
In order to get the building up and running, the Soup Kitchen needs as many volunteers as are willing to donate their time and efforts. In the meantime, they are also looking for monetary and physical donations, especially donations of cleaning supplies. They are also looking for a new stove.
“If anybody can help so we can get it opened up quick, and we can start serving again, that’d be great,” said Richardson.
Anyone who wants to help volunteer can call Audrey Russell at (812) 719-5511. They are looking for people who can help out any time Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and noon.
Those interested in learning more about the Soup Kitchen and any upcoming volunteer opportunities can visit www.facebook.com/TheSoupKitchenOfCopperasCove.