Local volunteer groups come in to help prepare, serve food to the needy
From Press Release
San Martin de Porres Soup Kitchen July 22 will celebrate 20 years of serving the needy.
Soup Kitchen director Suzie Roybal said volunteer organizations from all over Northern New Mexico are spending a day in the soup kitchen helping where they can.
The Los Alamos Methodist Youth Group will come in Friday and help with the preparation and serving duties.
The Girl Scouts are penciled in for July 26 duties, but are not confirmed.
The Oasis of Peace Youth Group will be in July 24 at 10 a.m.
Roybal said the Soup Kitchen provides the food for the groups to serve, unless they decide to do specialty items.
“We have been so blessed,” she said. “We have money from fund-raising and grants so we can go and purchase, hot dogs, ground beef and chicken in bulk when they are on sale. We get commodities canned goods, pastas, rice and beans.”
Cheese, tortillas, hamburger and hot dog buns and sandwich bread are donated on a regular basis, she said.
Local businesses are the key to keeping the Soup Kitchen operating. Roybal said the Ohkay Casino donates prepared food from their daily Buffet. Center Market donates cakes and pastries and produce several times during the week.
“The local farmers are starting to bring in fresh produce also,’ she said.
Nothing goes to waste. Roybal said the Soup Kitchen if they can’t use the food before it goes bad, they give it to clients to take home.
“We also help out local agencies by proving food for their pantries to make food boxes for the poor and needy,” she said. “Members of St. Vincent de Paul Society, I-LEAP in Chimayó and the Knights of Columbus turn out to help us serve at the Soup Kitchen. It’s a very well-oiled machine working together to help the poor.”
Groups will rotate through the Soup Kitchen through July 27. To donate or sign up to help for a day contact Roybal at 367-4288 or email her at sanmartinsk@yahoo.com
The Soup Kitchen is located on back side of the Jonathan Street loop in Apple Valley, just north of Valdez Park.