Robertsdale seniors host last soup kitchen of 2019

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ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — Robertsdale seniors hosted their last soup kitchen of 2019 on Friday, Nov. 22 at the George P. Thames Adult Activity Center in Robertsdale.

Normally held the last Friday of every month, the November soup kitchen was moved up a week because the Adult Activity will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday.

The soup kitchen will take a break for the holidays, but will resume in 2020. In February, the Adult Activity Center will host its 11th annual soup contest to coincide with that month’s soup kitchen.

“We are so blessed to have (soup kitchen organizer Becky Hayes) and the many volunteers who help with this vital program,” said Robertsdale senior activities coordinator Amy Ochello.

The monthly soup kitchen should begin around 11 a.m., or as soon as judging is concluded and awards have been handed out at the Adult Activity Center, located at 22651 E. Chicago St. in Robertsdale.

The soup contest is open to all senior adults, age 50 or older, while the soup kitchen is open to everyone regardless of age, Hayes said.

Now in its seventh year of operation, the soup kitchen is held on the last Friday of every month and while February’s soup kitchen will feature soup, other months have featured a wide variety of foods, from chicken and dumplings, to spaghetti, to tacos and Mexican fare.

“We cook whatever we have available,” Hayes said. “We appreciate all the donations from the community and welcome donations and any volunteers who would like to help out. We understand that there are a lot of winter visitors to the area this time of year and if they are looking for a place to volunteer, we’d love to have them.”

Volunteers are also needed to deliver meals to shut-ins every month, Hayes said.

Hayes said while they will not turn anyone away who needs a hot meal, donations are gladly accepted from those who want to come and support the program.

If you would like to donate, contact the Hayes or Claudia Barbee at the Senior Center, (251) 947-8973, or donations can be dropped off directly at the center.

Friday’s soup kitchen also featured guest speaker Mark Gregg, benefits advisor with Cigna, who spoke to seniors about the current Medicare enrollment period, which began in October and runs through Dec. 7.