Published: February 26, 2006 11:16 pm            

LOVE'S Kitchen weathering financial storms

When Hurricane Katrina made a path through the city of Meridian, the construction site for a new soup kitchen was among structures overpowered by the storm's high gusts of wind and pouring rain.

"We were in the first phase of construction — actually had just completed it — and when Katrina hit, everything was blown away," said Ruth Irwin, executive director of LOVE's Kitchen.

Supplies, electrical work and labor was donated and "all of it was destroyed by the hurricane," Irwin said. "The only thing left standing were the corners."

Within three days, contractors and business people were at the site cleaning up.

"It took six weeks to complete and reconstruct what had been destroyed," Irwin said.

Builders, contractors and other construction-related companies committed to the project have assured Irwin that the vision of a new home to better accommodate the increasing number of underprivileged people served — which continues to grow — will be realized.

"Our numbers were already increasing and since Hurricane Katrina, we're serving meals to even more people," Irwin said.

Irwin, Nita Neville, widow of LOVE's Kitchen founder Judge Billy Neville, and Melissa Gordon Pringle, board member, spoke with The Meridian Star Editorial Board about the frustrating tangle of paperwork involving insurance and Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance, as well as ongoing projects and upcoming fund-raisers to meet the soup kitchen's increasing financial needs.



The Star: How long has LOVE's Kitchen served the community?

Irwin: LOVE's Kitchen has been operating for 23 years.



The Star: How many plates does LOVE's Kitchen serve each week?

Irwin: We serve 600-700 plates Monday through Friday, and 350 plates on Saturday. Saturday used to be a slow day for us, but that's changed in recent months. Also, we've increased the number of plates we provide for the Friendships Center, which has gone up from 30 to 100 plates.



The Star: Let's talk about the problems you're currently dealing with, as far as getting financing to continue construction of the new building.

Irwin: Insurance will not subsidize the loss we encountered during Hurricane Katrina because it is considered an act of God.

We completed the required paperwork to send to FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and sent photos and the response that we received stated that if we were a zoo, public library or housed people we would qualify for assistance.

Neville: Nevermind that we provide hot meals to people six days a week.

Irwin: Congressman Chip Pickering's office is convinced that FEMA has already given money to a non-profit kitchen before, it might not have been a hurricane but some other natural disaster, and he (Pickering) is devoted to getting to the bottom of this. He is requesting more information from FEMA to help us.

Pringle: He has also requested them to look at their definition of what type of organizations would qualify for assistance and see if they can revise it to include LOVE's Kitchen.

It's kind of bizarre when you think about it. Here's a kitchen that feeds countless individuals — not only from our community but also the refugees from Hurricane Katrina — and we've had $50,000 worth of damage to the new site and we can't get reimbursed through FEMA because we don't meet their clear definition.



The Star: If attempts with FEMA are unsuccessful, how do you plan to recoup the $50,000.

Irwin: The only way LOVE's Kitchen has been able to continue its mission for the past 23 years is through the contributions from citizens, churches, businesses, the city of Meridian and grants.

Pringle: So it's very important for FEMA to reimburse us. With our operation costs increasing because of the increased plates we're now serving, and now the building has been damaged, where do you find those funds? Do you take it from operations? Operations needs every penny we can get. It's really a tough spot for us to be in right now, and I think more than ever, it's crucial to get reimbursed so that we can continue to feed the hungry of Meridian.



The Star: At what point is construction of the new soup kitchen?

Irwin: Construction stopped two weeks ago. It has to until the board and the community can raise money to continue the construction, or until we get assistance from FEMA.



The Star: Tell us about the campaign you recently kicked off for LOVE's Kitchen on Valentine's Day.

Irwin: Before Hurricane Katrina hit, First Presbyterian Church had talked about making sure that when the ribbon was cut and the doors opened at the new location, the kitchen would be completely stocked with all the food and produce we could possibly need.

First Presbyterian began a month-long canned food drive on Valentine's Day called "Love's Helping Hands," Until March 10, First Presbyterian Church — in downtown Meridian — and Community Bank's two Meridian locations will be drop-off points for people to donate non-perishable food items.



The Star: What other projects do you have in the works?

Irwin: Plans are being finalized for the golf tournament — the 2006 Community Bank Classic — which is scheduled for Oct. 2-8.

Pringle: We're so thankful to the golf tournament and really appreciate Community Bank, as well as Robert Smith and Glass Inc. and David Smith. They did so much last year just organizing it, which can be overwhelming in the first year. But now that we have one year under our belt, we hope this year it will be even more successful.

        

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