A final push to raise money for The Master's Table Soup Kitchen should have the ministry breaking ground on a new building by late August.
Since January, more than $1.15 million has been raised for the project, a 6,800-square-foot facility to be built on an acre of land on Fenwick Street behind James Brown Arena.
"We've got the land, and now it looks like we've just about got the money," said Mike Firmin, the executive director of Golden Harvest Food Bank, a ministry that includes The Master's Table Soup Kitchen.
The facility will cost $1.5 million. The soup kitchen plans to break ground once it has raised $1.3 million, which includes $250,000 of special purpose local option sales tax funds, plus remaining pledges and donations expected in this last month of fundraising before the groundbreaking.
The current soup kitchen serves 250 to 300 people a day in a space with just 50 chairs. The new facility will seat more than 150. It is planned for a corner of Seventh and Fenwick streets, about a block and a half from the current location. It also will include a courtyard and office space.
On Tuesday, doors opened at The Master's Table Soup Kitchen at 11 a.m. They shut again at 11:02.
In just minutes, 50 people had rushed in and taken every seat. Volunteers urged the 200 people still waiting outside to be patient.
Before 11:10 a.m., a handful of the first customers were up and scraping their trays, preparing to leave so that another group could get in.
"We have to keep people moving in order to get everyone fed," Mr. Firmin said.
The routine continued until lunch was over at 12:30 p.m.
Once construction begins, the facility is scheduled to be complete within eight months.
Reach Kelly Jasper at (706) 823-3552 or kelly.jasper@augustachronicle.com.
To learn more about the soup kitchen, visit www.goldenharvest.org.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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Wow! These guys ate quick...from 11:00 to 11:10! Too bad folks at Carraba's or Red Lobster don't eat that fast! I'm glad to see that this kitchen is on it's way to opening. It's obviously something needed in this area. I wish it wasn't so badly needed, but the fact remains.
If You Build It, They Will Come.
Perhaps a re-evaluation is needed by the folks giving large sums to UGA and others for mere sports programs. Feed the poor, help them find jobs, assist in clothing them. Seems as if this is more important than building mega-million $$$ sports stadiums.
The semi-pro ball players have specialized meals everyday, the Food Bank clients are just looking for food.
I just would like to thank all of the volunteers to give thier time just to help others. This is a much needed place for our city.