Lake Region—In 1996, a young man stopped by Sharon Inkster Seventh-day Adventist Church in Inkster, Mich., looking for something to eat. He spoke with Janie Brown, Sharon Inkster Community Services director at that time, and told her he wanted food that did not need to be cooked. Janie was a little puzzled because she didn't quite understand why he wanted food that did not need to be cooked. The man explained he was homeless and lived in abandoned houses where he did not have a stove to cook food or any way to store perishable goods.

That is when God gave Janie Brown a vision to serve those in need with a soup kitchen at the church. She advertised the opening of the soup kitchen on cable TV, radio, and in the newspaper. She also invited men from the Moore Street Shelter to attend the first meal.

That was ten years ago, and the Inkster soup kitchen is still going strong with a volunteer staff made up of church members and people from the community. The soup kitchen is a real benefit to the community.

The soup kitchen is sponsored by the Community Services department and operates every Tues. and Thurs. from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Janie is still there to serve up delicious, wholesome, vegetarian meals. The recipients of the soup kitchen have a saying, "We may not know what the lady in the chair is cooking, but whatever it is, it sure is good!"

The soup kitchen offers Meals-on-Wheels for seniors and the handicapped of Inkster. Volunteers make meal deliveries twice weekly, and they also deliver bread to eager recipients.

Each fall, Sharon Inkster Community Services gives out over 170 Thanksgiving baskets to referrals from several community organizations. The Annual Vegetarian Taste Fest and Clothing Give-A-Way held each Aug. are also great successes, and all are welcome!

Still going strong in her mission for the Lord at age 68, Janie operated the soup kitchen while attending school four days a week. She was the director of Community Services for 15 years. Just recently, Janie turned the operation over to Gladys Jones, due to her declining health. We pray God will bless Janie and keep her in good health.

We also pray that her dream for Sharon Inkster Community Services will continue to grow as it provides free drug counseling, Bible studies, food for the needy, and emergency assistance. For further information, call 734-722-2313, or write 28537 Cherry Ave., Inkster, MI 48141.

Cheryl Claiborn and Linda Robinson, Sharon Inkster correspondents