Twice a month on alternating weekends, volunteers from the Milford and Devon Rotary clubs serve up a hot meal to the guests at the Beth-El Center Soup Kitchen on New Haven Avenue.
The Beth-El Soup Kitchen is open to all and provides hot meals Monday through Friday and weekends from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Daily menus vary. On average, the Beth-El Center serves 435 meals per week.
According to Milford Rotarian and organizer Larry Landsberg, The Shoreline Chef, “We recently served over 50 people a luncheon of roasted petit fillet, mashed potatoes and gravy, roasted vegetables, red velvet cake, and ice cream.”
Toni Dolan, executive director of Beth-El Center, said the volunteer efforts are much appreciated.
“We are so delighted that these clubs have joined together to provide additional meals on weekends to the many people who are in need of a healthy, nutritious meal, served by a caring community member," Dolan said. "It’s a wonderful collaborative effort that has proven to be a rewarding experience for all.”
Other volunteers such as Platt Tech students and local Milford churches provide meals regularly too.
The Beth-El Center cares for and strives to prevent and end homelessness. It serves individuals and families by providing temporary shelter and feeds up to 60 persons daily in the soup kitchen.
The clients include veterans, elderly and people working through unemployment, illness, catastrophic events, addictions and emotional problems.
The Beth-El Center is located at 90 New Haven Avenue in Milford.