Our Mission
We seek to serve the poor and homeless of our community by sharing the love of God and giving them: Food for Their Bodies, Kindness for Their Souls, and Hope for the Future.
The Spartanburg Soup Kitchen is an inter-denominational, inter-faith ministry, made up of a partnership of various individuals and organizations across the Upstate. We share a common belief that when we serve those in need, we serve God.
Meet Our Director
Lou Sartor
“God has placed some people on earth to help show others that no matter what storm they’re going through in their lives, there is a rainbow on the other side of it.”
Meet Our Board Members
Charlie Hodge
Chairperson
Brandon Pack
Vice Chairperson
Lanie W. Carter
Past Chairperson
Donnie Love, Jr.
Facilities Chair
Gary Elder
Programs Chair
Bill Warden
Equipment Chair
Ugena Whitlock
Member at Large
Morgan Zell
Secretary
James Pitts
Communications Chair
Clay McDonough
Development Chair
David Strull
Treasurer
Brenda Fuller
Member at Large
Lauren Harvey
Member at Large
Rufus White
Member at Large
Our History
The Soup Kitchen began in February 1981. The members of Second Presbyterian Church made sandwiches for a few hungry people who were behind their new gym. Over time, the number of people grew from only a few to several hundred people daily. The soup kitchen evolved into a permanent mission housed in the church gymnasium.
After two decades, the need for a more efficient facility became apparent so the journey to relocate began.
In October 2009, The Spartanburg Soup Kitchen was officially formed after obtaining a 501c3 status. City rezoning for a soup kitchen was approved in summer 2010. This property, 136 S. Forest Street, was then purchased in August, 2010 to be the new location.
Construction began in June 2011. Work continued for several months until the building was ready in May 2012.
After 30 years, The Spartanburg Soup Kitchen had a new home and continues the mission started by Second Presbyterian Church of feeding the hungry in our community.