#GoodNews: More than just a soup kitchen

project host soup kitchen
Table of Contents

by: Claire Kostmann, digital intern

“Greenville is a very generous town”, says Savannah Porter, Associate Director at Project Host, founded in 1981 (located 525 S. Academy St). “People really want to help their community.”

project host garden

What do they do?

  • The Soup Kitchen offers a balanced and nutritious meal six days a week (not on Saturday).
  • Hundreds of volunteers offered their time and energy in preparing and serving 38,889 meals in 2017.
  • The garden and the greenhouse provide food for the programs (fresh kale, squash or herbs). It also serves as a teaching place.

Who do they help?

  • The CC Pearce Culinary School is an 11-week program to prepare unemployed or underemployed people to get a job in the food industry. The program is offered free of charge to those in need. The students develop their skills by cooking meals for Cooking for Kids.
  • Cooking for Kids provides snacks and meals supper for 500 children/day and also breakfast during summer (99,000 meals served in 2017).

How can we help?

  • This non-profit organization is always happy to see new volunteers (for the Soup Kitchen, sign up here). You can also help with financial support. Project Host runs on donations from private people, churches, fundraising (see the BBQ Cook-off event below), garden sales or community dinners.
  • Each month, you can participate in the community dinner: 3-course meals cooked by the students of the Culinary School. Beverages are provided by The Community Tap.
  • If you have a sweet tooth, you can order a bakery box filled with treats including scones, muffins, loaf bread, and an additional sweet treat ($25/month, available for pick up the third Thursday of the month, 12 p.m.- 4 p.m.) To order your box, email orders@projecthost.org.
project-host-bbq-300x169.jpg

What should you not miss?

The 9th BBQ Cook-off & Festival on Friday, April 27th (6 - 10 p.m.) and Saturday 28th (11 a.m. - 4 p.m.) by the Reedy River at 320 S. Hudson Street. This event will not only include an “Anything Butt BBQ” competition, a Barbecue and Rib Cooking contest, but also a great family entertainment including live music, food vendors, beverages, and games for kids. Admission is free and tasting tickets are sold at the festival. All proceeds benefit Project Host (If you want to help, sign up as a volunteer here)

More from GVLtoday
Each week, GVLtoday and CLTtoday will recap “Top Chef: Carolinas” with fun facts we’ve learned from our reporting behind the scenes and our pro tips about venues featured in each of our cities.
Help us create a growing guide to small businesses by submitting your favorite local makers, restaurants, and professionals, and sharing this page with a friend.
Watch 14,000 rubber ducks float down the Reedy River.
Episodes in our city will start airing soon, and VisitGreenvilleSC has a list of ways for you to celebrate.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
Discover and document local species as part of a worldwide effort to track biodiversity this spring.
Community members are invited to help create a massive paint-by-number mural at Goodwill at the Trail during a day of art, shopping, food, and family fun.
From a West Greenville High School update to plans to extend car rider loops, here’s what GCS wants to do.
Sponsored
Whether you’re participating in Record Store Day 2024 or you’re just looking to shop local for some music, we’ve rounded up record stores in Greenville, SC.