MONDAY, WEDNEDAY & FRIDAY 11:30am – 1:00pm
In 2005, God spoke the following words to Grace Place Founder, Rhonda Grace: “Feed the People.” These words would shift the direction of the ministry she was beginning at that time in south Monroe. The Soup Kitchen which now blesses so many is the fruit of the seed that was planted in her heart that day.
Hot lunches are prepared and served each week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between the hours of 11:30 and 1:00 at the 1600 Jackson St. ministry building in Monroe, LA. Special Thanksgiving and Christmas meals are also prepared and served seasonally.
Volunteers from area church and civic groups, youth groups, as well as individuals keep those meals coming. A total of 74 different groups have served in this ministry to the poor so far. Each group commits to one meal each month. They supply the food and the volunteers necessary to prepare the food, serve it to the guests, and clean up afterwards.
An average of 270 meals are served each day the Soup Kitchen is open. Folks are lined up at the door, waiting to come in at 11:30. When the doors open, the people enter into an atmosphere that is filled with the smell of good food, the sound of worship music, and the warm, welcoming smiles of the servers, beaming with the love of God.
In addition to physical food, spiritual food is provided in abundance as well. Each guest is given a daily devotional upon arrival. There is also a resource table displaying Bibles and other Christian literature designed to aid in individual spiritual growth. The guests are encouraged to select and keep resources to enjoy at no charge.
Grace Place Soup Kitchen is inspected routinely by and operates in strict accordance with the guidelines of the Louisiana State Health Department and the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana.