Lending a hand to those in need Published May 18, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Anne Gathua 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Imagine going a day without a meal or not having the means to provide for your family. Unfortunately, this is a reality some people face every day, so thankfully the Soup Kitchen is here to help. Created more than 25 years ago in San Angelo by the Wesley United Methodist and the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, the Soup Kitchen's mission is to feed and clothe the needy, low income and homeless people. "We don't turn anyone away," said Ms. Ola McCorkle, the Soup Kitchen's volunteer coordinator. "Everyone is welcome if they are in need." Tech. Sgt. Shaila Lane, 17th Force Support Squadron, has been volunteering at the Soup Kitchen since 2008. "I love volunteering because the people are truly thankful and I know that we are making a difference in their lives," she said. Sergeant Lane is the First Term Airmen Center noncommissioned officer in charge and said she gets the FTAC students involved with the Soup Kitchen to show them how fulfilling volunteer work can be. "They seem to really enjoy it," she said. Airman 1st Class Christopher Wadding, 17th Communications Squadron, said he appreciates being able to help out because it is rewarding. "Just being able to help those less fortunate and seeing them smile and say thank you makes it all worth it," he said. The kitchen provides an average of 115 meals a day to people in the local community who have fallen on hard times and can't afford groceries. They also have a loan closet to provide clothes and other household items. Ms. McCorkle said succeeding in their mission and helping these people wouldn't be possible without volunteers. "Goodfellow volunteers are very important to us," said Ms. McCorkle. "It's great to see service members giving back to the community. Not only do they donate clothes and food, but some spend their lunch hour helping us." Over the years that Sergeant Lane worked at the Soup Kitchen, she said she's seen first-hand that the volunteers were hard workers and are always willing to do what's asked. Senior Airman Justin Norman, 17th CS, said he enjoyed volunteering at the kitchen. "Surrounded by people who were genuinely appreciative of the help we provided fostered a very positive atmosphere," Airman Norman said. "Even though all I was doing was washing pots and pans, we were all laughing, joking and enjoying our time there, while directly helping people in need." Ms. McCorkle encourages everyone to volunteer even if it's only once a week or once a month because every bit of help they get makes a difference. The San Angelo community is supportive of Goodfellow and Sergeant Lane said that Team Goodfellow should take every opportunity to give back to them and let them know we appreciate their support. "We all get so wrapped up in our own lives and the struggles that we're going through that we forget about the people around us who are truly struggling," said Sergeant Lane. "We need to remember how blessed we are as military members. We get paid twice a month like clockwork, but there are many people who don't know how they'll feed their children next month or even next week." Airman 1st Class Caleb Hall, 17th CS, said that by being in the military, most things are provided to you. Helping out at the Soup Kitchen reminds him that not everyone is as fortunate and it's his way of giving back. The Soup Kitchen, located at 301 W. 18th St., is supported by donations and volunteers. It is open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday. To volunteer at the Soup Kitchen, call Sergeant Lane at 325-654-358 or Ms. McCorkle at 325-212-4162. To make donations, call Ms. McCorkle.
