written by Barbara Pitts
Stone Soup, a long-standing collaborative ministry that provides a free Sunday meal to unhoused and hungry neighbors in downtown Little Rock, is thrilled to celebrate 40 years of continuous service! A volunteer appreciation dinner is scheduled for April 10 at Asbury United Methodist Church.
The first meal at Stone Soup was served on Easter Sunday, April 7, 1985. This initiative to nourish both body and spirit began as a collaboration between St. James UMC, which provided funding, and Winfield UMC (now known as Quapaw Quarter UMC), which offered the location at 1601 S. Louisiana. Over the years, churches, church groups, and other organizations have sent eight or more volunteers each week to cook and serve 100 meals every Sunday. Since the onset of COVID-19, six dedicated churches have continued to provide volunteers on a rotating basis each week.
The opportunity to share Christian love and a hearty meal at Stone Soup has benefited hundreds of hungry individuals in central Little Rock and surrounding communities. Inspired by this mission, volunteers have even started feeding programs in West Little Rock and Benton. The name “Stone Soup” comes from a children’s book of the same name, where everyone contributes a little to feed their neighbors and strangers. The foundation of this mission is based on Matthew 25:40, where Christ states that what we do for “the least of these” we do for Him.
“As our budgets and community needs evolve over time, we must also adapt our structure and support systems,” said long-time coordinator Bobbi Pitts. “A one-time grant from the Methodist Foundation, along with individual and church donations, is not enough to sustain our annual budget of $15,000.” She added that they are seeking to expand their partnerships.
For more information or to provide financial support, please contact Bobbi.pitts@gmail.com or the QQUMC office.