Samaritans Kitchen needs money for a new home. Executive Director Judith Holleman-Anderson, says the goal is $125,000. “That’s for a facility fund campaign,” she said. “We really need a place to go.” In March, the agency must move from its current location at First Baptist Church in North Wilkesboro, to accommodate renovations there. The agency is looking for a temporary location until the soup kitchen can find a permanent home, Holleman-Anderson said. “We need a facility large enough to store our food,” she said. The agency provides free lunches to 350 to 410 children in low-income families and to needy elderly residents. Volunteers also serve 100 to 130 hot lunches each Saturday between noon and 1 p.m. at the church.

   For that reason, “It would be really difficult to try to bring in 500 of everything,” Holleman-Anderson said. “If we could find a facility that we could bring in all our food and store it temporarily, that would be great.” Unlike some non-profit agencies, there are no paid positions at Samaritan Kitchen. The only money Holleman-Anderson sees is compensation for mileage. She doesn’t brag about her work, but rather the look on children’s faces when they get their bag lunches. Who would have ever known peanut butter and jelly sandwiches would be so warming to the heart?

   This is a worthwhile cause. Donations to Samaritan Kitchen may be mailed to Krista Epley, treasurer, at 225 Haynes Road, Hays. For more information, call Chloe Sturdivant at 667-3716.