The Wildwood Soup Kitchen in Sumter County is a 100 percent volunteer-run, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to feeding the community. Each week, volunteers in this organization provide more than 4,200 hot, hearty, and nutritious meals, completely free of charge, to those in need.
Staffed with over 750 volunteers, these individuals are the backbone of the organization. Many of these volunteers that give their time and talents are residents of The Villages.
Due to the dedication and the generosity of many supporters, the Wildwood Soup Kitchen has been able to serve the Wildwood community for many years from their current location at First Presbyterian Church in Wildwood.
Unfortunately, they experienced an emergency crisis that threatened their ability to continue its vital mission. Their lease was up for renewal under new stipulations: the rent had doubled, building access hours had to be reduced, and the available space decreased. These unexpected conditions were in combination with the fact that the demand for meals continues to rise each week.
Through donations, the Wildwood Soup Kitchen was able to secure the needed funds ($1.5 million) to purchase a building on Main Street/U.S. 301 in Wildwood. They plan to close on this building on Feb. 1. Currently, the building houses the hot dog restaurant Coney Island Drive Inn.
The Wildwood Soup Kitchen is now attempting to seek funds to raise an additional $600,000 to remodel the space and to upgrade the equipment to meet their needs in this new location. This will include expanded refrigeration, freezer capacity, industrial cooking equipment and a commercial dishwasher. This will be the first time that the Wildwood Soup Kitchen will operate with a dishwasher! They have currently raised $260,000 of the $600,000 that they need. They are hoping to move into their new location mid to late April.
The Wildwood Soup Kitchen desperately needs enough donations to meet their goal of $600,000 for the remodeling and updated equipment at their new location. No donation is too small! Every dollar counts!
Families, children, and seniors rely on this soup kitchen every day for nourishment. The Wildwood Soup Kitchen has been vital to many residents within the community at large, including The Villages. Countless community volunteers (myself included) have seen first hand the impact that The Wildwood Soup Kitchen makes for those needing a hot, nutritious meal.
There are two ways to make a financial donation for the remodeling and updated equipment:
#1) Send checks to
Wildwood Soup Kitchen
PO BOX 1762,
WILDWOOD, FL 34785
Note: Remodeling/Equipment
2.) Donate Online at:
https://wildwoodsoupkitchen.org/donate
Matthew 25:35-40 “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.”
Carol Wolf is a resident of the Village of Hemingway.