For the past nine years Landrum United Methodist Church has opened their doors for a community meal. Each month on the fourth Saturday at 4 p.m., volunteers are ready with a hot meal. Starting October 2003, with about 30 people attending, it has grown to the magnitude of 1,000 meals.

Church member Nancy Surface said, “In my heart I always wanted to open a soup kitchen.”

Moving to Landrum from West Virginia, Surface made her dream a reality. Meeting with the church board she challenged to start a program to feed the hungry. The challenge was accepted and The Community Meal became a Mission Ministry for the church.

There was a call for volunteers, followed by great response at even the first meeting.  A Community Meal committee was established, with Surface as the guiding light to  today’s success.

Having a great facility with a kitchen, community room, parking and convenient location, the basics where in place. The only hang-up – no funds.

Donations came in though and enough was collected to create a trust fund of $1500. This has never been spent and they have never asked the church to finance any of the meals.