Concerned neighbors gather as Valdosta soup kitchen closes indefinitely

• Valdosta Community Soup Kitchen is closed indefinitely.
• The soup kitchen has been in operation since the early 1980s and feeds 150 people.
• Watch the video and hear how neighbors and social institutions are coping with the sudden closure.

Broadcast transcript:

As you can see behind me, my neighbors are gathered around our city’s soup kitchen.

This is one of the last opportunities we have before we close permanently for Christmas.

“We don’t want our community to deteriorate.”

I’m Maria Thomas from Valdosta.

The soup kitchen has been providing meals to families for 40 years, but now it has decided to close its doors. I’m here to find out why.

Introducing T’Challa Bradley.

He said his brother was allowing him to stay at his house, but he had to find a place to stay soon.

One of the resources he utilizes in his neighborhood is a soup kitchen.

“Our soup kitchen is going to be successful. It’s going to be successful.”

The benefits of soup kitchens go beyond hot meals, he says.

“It’s a hug and a welcome.”

When I told him we were closing indefinitely due to the aging of the board, he said he understood, but we needed people to come together to stay open.

“Once other resources become this powerful, they know how to leverage these and it will be much better for us.”

County Manager Paige Dukes said the remaining empty space in the Leila Ellis building will be used to expand the county’s probation services.

“We are now having our probation officers work with required folding tables in their offices to ensure our probationers receive the quality services they need.”

Surrounding resources are limited.

While leaders work to give probationers a new outlet, LAMP shelter director Yursema Flanders is thinking of ways to help feed 150 people. he said.

“I see families in need, so it’s my responsibility to make sure we do something to make sure people are fed.”

Various churches and local organizations are currently consulting with the county to consider ways to continue soup kitchen services.

I’m ABC27’s Maria Thomas in Valdosta.