Kitchen History

As of 1/1/2022, the Kitchen program is no longer in operation as a program under Love Thy Neighbor, however, The Salvation Army Lewisville continues to run a hot lunch program, Mondays thru Fridays, lunch at noon until 1pm.  Volunteers are needed to prepare and cook the food for lunches each day.  Contact the Salvation Army Lewisville for details.

The following is an account of how the program was started and continued until the end of 2021.

Love Thy Neighbor, consisting of a small group of women, embarked on a life-changing journey in early spring of 2010. Realizing the need for a daily feeding program for those less fortunate in our community, we partnered with The Salvation Army Lewisville Service Center to support and manage the newly installed kitchen.

Since our “opening day” November 1, 2010, we have provided over 108,000 meals and distributed over 10,000 to-go bags.  We serve numerous families and individuals and have averaged well over 100 meals daily.  With no pre-qualifications to those coming in, nutritious noon meals are served five (5) days a week to persons in our community who struggle to meet their basic needs.  To-go lunches are also given to persons who are homeless or unable to prepare an evening meal.  People are then able to utilize their limited resources (if available) for other essentials such as rent, utilities, and food.

Every person coming to our center lunch program is greeted with a welcoming smile and treated with the respect one would address family. Lunch is prepared fresh daily and exceptional attention is given to nutrition with on-going dietician consultations.  The Rich Lubke Community Garden, which was originally started with The Salvation Army Community Kitchen in mind, is now able to provide organically grown fresh produce for healthy salads and nourishing fresh vegetables.

Several of our community churches and individuals bring us offerings from their gardens as well.  One of the most rewarding results in affording wholesome food to our guests is that we have seen improved health in many individuals that have been with us since the beginning of our program.

We receive no grants and rely exclusively on the support of the community by providing monetary and food donations to sustain The Salvation Army Community Kitchen. We also have fund-raising activities during the year to support this program and to provide assistance to other charitable organizations.  In bringing the community together by helping others in need we are able to offer encouragement, hope, faith and love.  We provide nourishment, not only for the body, but mind and spirit as well.

Supporting Individuals and Families in need of Food and Clothing