SMPC Serves Breakfast to Center of Hope Guests

After a three-year hiatus due to COVID-19, SMPC is once again providing breakfast for the women and children who temporarily call Salvation Army’s Center of Hope home. Before the pandemic, SMPC had served breakfast to Center of Hope guests for over 10 years.

At 5:30 a.m., Saturday, May 20, a group of SMPC volunteers, led by church member Bob Williamson, met at SMPC to gather the pancake mix, syrup, grits, 28 lbs. of bacon, 28 dozen eggs, orange juice, fruit and other breakfast items donated by church members. After loading their cars in the darkness of an early spring morning, the group caravanned to Center of Hope.

Volunteers cooked and prepped breakfast for about an hour before serving the nearly 150 women and children. Williamson said Saturdays and Sundays are the only days that guests receive a hot breakfast – weekday breakfasts are typically cereal, fruit and other “quick” items – so the pancakes, grits and bacon are met with bright smiles.

“The residents were very grateful and many asked what church we represented,” said Williamson. “I can’t imagine not having a home or a kitchen where I can make my own breakfast – I just feel the need to help people who need help.”

Now that the Center of Hope Breakfast outreach project is back to a regular cadence, SMPC members have many opportunities to help. You can volunteer to cook and serve breakfast on the third Saturday of every month and/or you can donate breakfast items.

“While we served 150 guests this past Saturday, we typically serve many more,” said Williamson. “We appreciate any support church members can give – especially food donations – and we welcome cooks and servers. It’s a very gratifying mission and outreach opportunity and means so much to Center of Hope guests.”

This month’s volunteers included Helen and Tony Castle, first-time server Ashley Child, Pat Hopkins, Donna and Bill Ramsey, Toby and Gary Sunstrom and Bob Williamson. Many other members donated breakfast items.

Sign up to be a server or donate breakfast items for next month’s breakfast here. Breakfast servers must be 18 years old and must not be a student at any Charlotte-Mecklenburg School or any city or county school.

SMPC also collects dessert items for the Center of Hope on the second Sunday of each month. Sign up here to bring a sweet treat to church to be delivered to Center of Hope.