Statesboro First United Methodist offers a soup kitchen every Saturday from 11 p.m. to 1 p.m. The church offers a hot meal and lunch for guests to enjoy. A hot meal consists of protein, vegetables, and dessert. Guests are required to eat their hot meal in the sitting area. 

Lunch bags consist of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, chips, and a dessert. Guests are welcome to take up to 5 bagged lunches for the week unless they have a family. The church prepares over 100 to 130 hot meals for those who dine in and over 100 bagged lunches. 

“It operates completely on a volunteer base so I’m the only one that has to be here every week. But I have a group of volunteers, I jokingly during when covid started calling them the faithful because they stood beside me,” Director Karen Phipps said.

Volunteers are required to prepare the food from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Volunteers are needed every Saturday to help prep and serve food for those in need. Any and all ages are welcome to serve. 

First United Methodist Church has partnered with Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia to supply the food at a low cost. The soup kitchen has been in operation for 30 years and continues to grow as they serve the community. Any and all are welcome to dine in for a hot meal every Saturday.