Soup kitchens rose to prominence in the U.S. during the Great Depression, before WWII, in the early 20th century, though their origins go back to the harsh boom and bust years of the industrial revolution of the 1800s.
One of the first and obvious benefits of a soup kitchen in the early 20th century was to provide a place where the homeless and poor could get free food and a brief rest from the struggles of surviving on the streets.
The Wildwood Soup Kitchen serves 200-300 people per day (except Sunday). We serve healthy, nutritious and appetizing meals to all who come to us.Those who are hungry and receive meals may be homeless, the working or non-working poor or just lonely people. The ages vary from children to adult seniors. We have several families with children who come to the soup kitchen to eat.
We also deliver meals to those who cannot come to the soup kitchen. Many of these home-bound or shut-ins may only eat the one meal we deliver.
Every person who comes to us for assistance is welcomed, without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, handicap, or income.