The Healing Place outdoor soup kitchen braves the cold

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — As temperatures in the Cape Fear drop to their lowest in years, one organization is working to warm hearts, and bellies.  

The Healing Place of New Hanover County held a pop-up outdoor food kitchen at Greenfield Park on Saturday. 

While at the park, organizers also picked up trash around the lake and gave out free coats to anyone in need.  

Director of development Megan Youssefi said the event is part of the organization’s monthly community outreach.  

“Once a month we try to do a service centered project that our clients are involved in, and so we chose today to come here and just feed folks,” Youssefi said. “Anybody that needs it, needs to warm up, anybody that’s out here in this cold.”  

And for food service coordinator Dylan Andrews, that work is a labor of love.  

Dylan Andrews, Food Service & Dietary Coordinator  

“So for me personally, I just grew up in a household with addiction and it means a lot to me to be able to teach people skills that are going to transfer to the real world, and, you know, possibly help them find passions and provide for their family and develop a career,” Andrews said. 

But serving food to those in need is not the only outreach the healing place takes part in.  

“The Healing Place really wants to know what the community needs,” Youssefi said. “So, if there’s any folks out in the community that need anything, we want to be of service.” 

 If you or someone you know is in need of The Healing Place’s help, you can reach out to them by emailing info@thpnc.org.