If you are down on your luck and hungry, finding your next meal can be a challenge, but Howard Chapel United Methodist Church and the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center have been teaming up to help out.
Each quarter, staff and volunteers from the Dublin VA join Howard Chapel to provide meals to needy members of the community. Getting the VA involved was the brainchild of Keith Griffin, the Dublin VA’s Customer Service Manager.
“We really want to demonstrate that we are not just here for our veterans but for our whole community. Volunteering at Howard Chapel’s soup kitchen seemed like a perfect way to do that,” Griffin said.
Howard Chapel representative Margaret Wheeler, who also works at the VA, said that the event has become well known to the local community and has been going on for over 25 years and typically serves about 100 community members every Saturday.
“We’re missed when we can’t be open for any reason. It feels good to know that we make a difference in our community,” Wheeler said.
Griffin and his teammates meet at Howard Chapel once a quarter to assist church members and staff with feeding those in need. According to Griffin, he is continually impressed with the generosity of the Middle Georgia community.
“For our December event, Sonny’s Barbeque donated generously as did many of our VA staff. It’s inspiring to see so many folks come together to serve others,” Griffin said.
VA staff in attendance included medical center director Maryalice Morro and associate director Jay De Worth as well as nursing, pharmacy, medical, mental health, and many other staff, including many managers. Griffin said that seeing his executive managers set the example is always reassuring.
“They really lead the way,” he said.
Wheeler says that Howard Chapel will continue to serve the community as long as there is a need.
“As long as our friends in the community need us, we’ll be there.”
Mon - Sun: 12:00 AM - 06:00 AM
