JERSEY SHORE -- Earlier this month Newswatch 16 told you about a soup kitchen in Lycoming County set to close because of lack of financial support. On Tuesday it closed for good.
Volunteers at American Rescue Workers Love Center in Jersey Shore cleaned up the kitchen one last time. Love Center on South Main Street is closing for good.
“It`s just a really sad, sad day to end here, because we`ve been like a family here,” said Denise Gibbs, Love Center employee.
Officials from American Rescue Workers said Love Center was set to close a couple weeks ago due to a lack of financial support, but because of the need, doors stayed open a little longer.
“They just didn`t want to stop feeding lunches in this area. They really need lunches in this area,” said Gibbs.
Now the pantries have been emptied. Most of the food has been sent to American Rescue Workers in Williamsport or given out to folks including Gladys Shope from Avis.
“Some people come here every, every day,” said Shope.
When people heard the Love Center was closing, they reacted. Now a group of churches known as the Ministerium has decided to open its own soup kitchen in Jersey Shore.
“I`m glad that somebody stood up and took on the project,” said Gibbs.
“Kind of excited for the new adventure, but sad to leave this one behind because I`ve been here for long. So this was my home,” said Tutt Koch, Love Center employee.
Workers will serve that one meal a day at Trinity United Methodist Church, but folks over at Love Center say there are some services this new love center won`t offer.
“Nobody will be able to get take outs and they were really important,” said Gibbs.
Love Center employees say they plan on serving lunches at Trinity United Methodist Church until the end of the year.