Social service agency hits grim numerical milestone
On the last Sunday in June, The Bridge – a social service agency operated out of Centenary United Methodist Church in downtown St. Louis – served its 750,000th meal.
Volunteers dished out just over 6,000 meals in 2006, the first year The Bridge was open. Last year, more than 171,000 people accepted a free hot meal.
St. Louis Public Radio’s Rachel Lippmann sat down with Kathleen Wilder, the pastor at Centenary and the executive director of The Bridge, to reflect on what it means that so many people are in need.
What was your initial reaction when you realized that in the 5-6 years you’ve been open, there were 750,000 meals that you’ve delivered to those in need?
Actually, I don’t know that I can say that we’ve served 750,000 meals without crying. It’s an amazing milestone, and it’s a very sad milestone. I keep telling our staff that I don’t want a sign outside that says a million served, but the important thing is that they are served. So it’s been an overwhelming experience seeing how many people come here on a regular basis for food.
http://www.news.stlpublicradio.org/post/social-service-agency-hits-grim-numerical-milestone
Truly sad that in this country of plenty, this is a so very necessary service.........
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