Thanks to a $5,000 donation from the Security Service Charitable Foundation, the St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen will be able to expand their facility and continue to serve nearly 1,000 Utah citizens daily. The soup kitchen, a program of Catholic Community Services, has been providing hot meals to those who are hungry in the Salt Lake City community for the past 51 years. They supply the only regular mid-day and evening meal service in Salt Lake County.
“Anyone is welcome to enjoy a meal at St. Vincent de Paul Dining Hall regardless of age, religion or other personal circumstance,” explained Ben Wiseman, senior vice president of member service—Mountain West Region, for Security Service Federal Credit Union. “There is a tremendous need in this community and we are honored to be able to help.”
The Soup Kitchen is currently working to implement a job training program, training those it serves to be proficient for food service jobs in the community. As they are using the same kitchen that provides the daily meals, expansion is necessary. Funds provided by the Security Service Charitable Foundation will go toward the purchase of a forklift used to move food into and around the new, expanded facility.
“Expansion of our program and facility to train individuals is vital,” said Bradford Drake, Executive Director, Catholic Community Services. “One in seven Utah children live in poverty and approximately 350,000 Utah citizens risk missing one meal every day. The funds provided to us by the Security Service Charitable Foundation will serve to improve our offering, and empower those we serve with life skills so they may become self-sufficient.”
The Security Service Charitable Foundation helps further Security Service Federal Credit Union’s corporate goal of community service by contributing to deserving organizations and causes in the credit union's market areas that better the community and help to improve the quality of life.
Matthew Melville, director of homeless services for St. Vincent de Paul, Ben Wiseman, senior vice president of member service—Mountain West Region, for Security Service Federal Credit Union, Monica Rich, emergency assistance and volunteer coordinator for St. Vincent de Paul, and Jose Lazaro, development director for St. Vincent de Paul