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Soup kitchen closed
Moves to mobile feeding operations
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Posted on Aug 23 2019
Expect to see this note on the door of CNMI Salvation Army in Gualo Rai as it expands its mobile feeding program and terminate its fixed-site location. (IVA MAURIN)
Soon, you won’t need to drive to the CNMI Salvation Army in Gualo Rai to get a free meal. The international charitable organization will now deliver food at designated places around the island.
In response to demographic changes, CNMI Salvation Army said it is expanding its mobile feeding program and terminating its fixed-site location, commonly known as its soup kitchen.
The Salvation Army has been operating a mobile feeding program, in addition to its fixed-site soup kitchen, for several years now. As time has passed, though, fewer and fewer clients have been eating onsite.
“At the beginning, most clients came to the soup kitchen, but for the last several years, fewer clients have been eating there. We have been providing roughly the same number of meals but mostly on a mobile basis,” said ministry leader pastor Wayne Gillespie.
The Salvation Army is adapting to this change by closing its soup kitchen and moving to a 100% mobile feeding model.
It posted a sign about this change at its soup kitchen’s door in Gualo Rai.
“Please note that we will still continue to provide the same number of meals,” said Gillespie.
Deliveries will be made at strategic sites and will be on a drive or walk-up basis. Clients will simply drive or walk up, take their meals and travel back home to eat them. The drop-off locations will be announced soon.
In connection to this new mobile feeding model, the Salvation Army also needs public assistance with one of their delivery vehicles. “We have a vehicle that needs engine repairs. We are hoping that someone with the appropriate skills will step forward and help us get this unit back on the road,” said Gillespie.
The Salvation Army is also appealing to businesses, churches, civic groups, or individuals who might be interested in sponsoring or helping to sponsor the vehicle (fuel, maintenance, etc.).
For anyone who can help with engine repair, would want to sponsor the vehicle, or for additional information about the Salvation Army, contact Gillespie at 483-0885.
