(above) Volunteers for the Cranford Elmora Soup Kitchen celebrate that 30th anniversary of the soup kitchen.
In 1989, the initiative began to take shape in two Bible Study groups at the Elmora Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth, NJ. Under the leadership and direction of Rev. Ted Grandberg, the dream became a reality. Conversations with Pastor Shipp of the First Baptist Church of Cranford/Elizabeth on Union Ave. resulted in the formation of the Elmora Soup Kitchen. As with all things in life, changes take place. Upon the closing of the Elmora Presbyterian Church, the program was adopted by the First Presbyterian Church of Cranford and hence became known as the Cranford Elmora Soup Kitchen.
This community based program continues to serve a complete meal each and every Sunday afternoon from 3 to 4 p.m. During this 30-year time period over 135,000 meals have been served by hundreds of volunteers. The program has grown from 4 original teams to 8 teams, all from different towns and Houses of Worship. It has truly become an ecumenical effort. Four of the founding members of the Elmora Soup Kitchen still serve after 30 years! What a commitment to those in need! Soup Kitchen volunteers not only serve our guests, but also come with energy, ideas and hope for helping others.
Those who volunteer to cook and serve every Sunday are not only committed to serving meals, but also engage guests in conversation to offer kind words of support. Workers have gotten to know many of the guests on a personal basis. We wonder and worry when regular attendees just seem to disappear. The number of guests increase and diminish depending on the economy and changes in the government housing requirements. Our guests tell us that they continue coming not only because of the meals, but also because of the respect and how they are treated by the volunteers. Many of our guests at the conclusion of their meal offer a thank you and God Bless You as they leave. Others stay until 4 p.m. and assist us in cleaning up!
The program could not exist without the efforts of many organizations that assist the leadership year after year. The Cranford High School Madrigal Singers also help us celebrate at Christmas time. Support also comes from many other organizations such as Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops, the Jaycees and Rotary, Pinho’s Bakery, high school groups and volunteers from many towns and counties throughout the state. Numerous high school students who have worked at the Soup Kitchen for many years tell us what a meaningful experience it has been for them to participate and many go on to college and not only work in soup kitchens in the cities of their college campuses, but also bring our best practices to the soup kitchens that they volunteer at. Working at the Soup Kitchen has also helped them make future career choices.
Did anyone in 1989 expect the Cranford Elmora Soup Kitchen to mean so much to so many people when it was first established? Probably not! God did and he made it happen! May God continue to bless our guests and the volunteers that have made the Cranford/Elmora Soup Kitchen such a success.
Submitted by Skip Winter
