By Gerri Miller
Elmore/Autauga News Staff Writer
Christ’s Kitchen, a program that feeds the area’s needy, has moved from Christ Lutheran Church to Safe Harbor Outreach Center in Prattville.
Jane Milam took over the project for Mary Ray, who has directed the meal program for the past seven years. Ray and her husband are moving to Montana and Milam is the new coordinator.
“When my husband and I decided to retire to Montana we were in search of a new coordinator and home for the kitchen,” Ray said. “I am so happy that Safe Harbor Church has graciously taken our program in. They are very active as an outreach center in Prattville and I know that Christ Kitchen will flourish as never before. I am excited to watch and see how many more lives will be blessed by this ministry.”
On Saturday, Milam and her 12 volunteers packed up around 145-150 lunches consisting of pork loin, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls and bread pudding. To volunteer for this program, call Milam at 334-313-1425. If you are in need of food, call the church at 334-365-4108 and talk to Regina. Every second and fourth Saturdays of the month, the volunteers deliver food and a message of hope to people in Flatwood Apartments, Crestview Apartments, Court Manor Apartments, and the Jupiter Inn.
Milam said the program caters primarily to shut-ins and senior citizens. Those wishing to receive a meal must simply call the church. Those people living outside the delivery areas can pick up meals at the church or eat there. The only qualification is that the person receiving the meal must live in Autauga County and be able to show an ID with an Autauga County address.
“I wish I had known about this program seven years ago because I would definitely have been involved,” said Milam. She said the program needs more volunteers and that you don’t have to be a member of the church to be on the volunteer team.
Milam has ample experience in cooking and serving meals. She cooks Wednesday night suppers for the church and helps provide food for a mission group that visits the church bi-monthly. The church also has a soup kitchen, provides food boxes for the elderly the second Wednesday of the month and also has a food box program where volunteers provide food once a month.
So far, 120 families have signed up for the Sunday food box program. The program has an Amazon wish list where anyone can purchase needed items. To order items, follow this link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/26E6AIFXW7SYH…
Greg Haney was one of the volunteers. He said he delivered food to 57 apartments. He said he hopes to volunteer at least once a month.
Milam said she has already been blessed beyond measure while working with the program. “I believe that when I bless others, it blesses me as well.” she said. “I may not always have money to do something, but I have time. God gives us all talents to use- we just need to learn how to use them. The way our world is going, we need to show love any way we can – even if it is just one plate at a time.”
