he joy of service is apparent at The King’s Kitchen, 2005 Longfellow Road, Bay St. Louis. Left to right: Dolly Lundberg, Assistant; Dana Nelson, Old Town Presbyterian Volunteer; Reverend Richard Gillespie, Old Town Presbyterian Pastor; Connie Lyons, Outreach Pastor.
During a hospitalization two years ago, Old Town Presbyterian Church’s Clerk of Session and Treasurer Dana Nelson happened upon a YouTube video of Bay St. Louis’ The King’s Kitchen that piqued her interest. Upon her recuperation, Dana contacted the outreach ministry, which serves the Bay St. Louis/Waveland Community and its homeless and indigent population, to see how she could become involved. For the last 11 months, Dana has volunteered her time to serve two of the three lunches The King’s Kitchen provides every week.
Shortly after her own involvement, Dana saw first hand the need for more volunteers and donations. In addition to the three weekly lunches, the facility provides free clothing and accessories for men, women and children in its Clothesline Room; a food pantry with small canned goods and other quick fix items; hygiene items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, shaving cream, razors as well as children and adult diapers that are distributed in newest service, a Community Room complete with private shower area and a free, self-service washer and dryer.
Founded in 2012 and sponsored by Central Bible Church under the leadership of the Reverend Mike Ramsey, The King’s Kitchen is privately funded – which means it depends upon donations to maintain their service ministries. Dana learned that many local churches support the ministry, including: Christ Episcopal Church, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Diamondhead Community Church, Long Beach Presbyterian Church, Lutheran Church of the Pines, Our Lady of the Gulf Catholic Church, Power-House of Deliverance and St. Clair Catholic Church as do local businesses, and corporate and social organizations.
Armed with her understanding of The King’s Kitchen’s reliance on the generosity of others, she approached Reverend Richard Gillespie, Stated Supply Pastor for Old Town Presbyterian PCUSA in Bay St. Louis to suggest her home church become involved.
“Dana is a gifted individual with a heart open to service. While, over the years, our church had contributed financially to The King’s Kitchen, we had never provided food donations. Our congregation enthusiastically embraced the idea of providing food for lunches, and we chose two dates: Friday, July 21 and Friday, August 25. Our loving congregants provided enough food for 300 meals in July, and we plan on doing the same or better for the August meal. Looking forward, we hope this giving opportunity will become a tradition for our church,” states Reverend Gillespie.
Connie Lyons, Outreach Pastor for The King’s Kitchen, and her assistant, Dolly Lundberg glow in their appreciation of Dana’s service. “Dana’s being here at 6 am two days a week, frees up our time so we can focus on the other vital functions of our outreach,” explains Ms. Connie.
As for Dana, she is humble and committed to her volunteering. “It isn’t about me. It’s about God’s love, to give and show compassion to our neighbors in need.”
Ms. Connie and Ms. Dolly are quick to point out that the need for donations and volunteers is a constant challenge. In addition to food for the three lunches (The King’s Kitchen serves approximately 900 individuals every week!) and food items for the small food pantry, donations for The Clothesline – in particular men’s clothes, socks and shoes – are in high demand and stock is low. As for personal hygiene, adult diapers also are high demand and badly needed donations.
Donations can be dropped of and volunteers can walk into The King’s Kitchen, located at 2005 Longfellow Road. Individuals who care to learn more are welcome to call 228-493-4796 and leave a message.
For information about Old Town Presbyterian Church PCUSA, 114 Ulman Avenue, Bay St. Louis, feel free to reach out to Reverend Gillespie, 256-443-4100, or attend the Church’s 10 am Sunday morning service.