Swannanoa Welcome Table announces closure
Ministry disperses substantial grants to similar organizations
Rev. Robert M. Randolph
Guest contributor
The Valley Echo
October 3, 2022
At its peak, the Swannanoa Welcome Table served 150 free meals every week. The ministry, which opened in 2003 in response to the fire that destroyed the former Beacon Manufacturing plant, has announced its permanent closure. Photo courtesy of the Swannanoa Welcome Table
A local outreach ministry launched in direct response to the catastrophic 2003 fire that destroyed the former Beacon Manufacturing plant has closed its doors.
The Swannanoa Welcome Table, originally known as Soup In the Valley, featured as many as 50 volunteers serving free, hot meals to approximately 150 people each week at its peak, before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the program to temporarily close its doors in March of 2020.
Established within the Swannanoa United Methodist Church, directly across the street from the plant, the Welcome Table offered food, solace and encouragement to displaced neighbors in the community. By 2008, it added services, including legal assistance, wellness checks, a food pantry and a medical equipment loan closet. Contributions came from weekly guests, former church members and community organizations to maintain and grow the ministry.
The United Methodist Church used the model developed by the Swannanoa Welcome Table to start similar programs in Western N.C., which now number over a dozen, including Open Table in Black Mountain United Methodist Church.
In 2020 the WNC Conference of The United Methodist Church closed the Swannanoa congregation and took control of the property. In 2021, the Conference sold the property, which led to the Swannanoa Welcome Table removing its equipment and vacating the property. A fervent search for a new home proved unsuccessful, and the board, citing Ecclesiastes 3:1, decided to close the ministry, whose “season had ended.”
The significant resources were seen as God’s bounty, which needed to continue Welcome Table’s ministry elsewhere. Therefore, a considerable amount of kitchen equipment, cooling pots, numerous appliances, storage shelves, chairs, tables and supplies were donated to McDowell Mission Ministries’ homeless shelters in Marion, Open Table in Black Mountain and Sandy Mush Community Center in western Buncombe County.
The board sees Sandy Mush Community Center, in partnership with Big Sandy United Methodist Church, as in keeping with Swannanoa Welcome Table’s mission to serve an underserved Buncombe County community.
Grants of $10,000 each went to Food Connection, Bounty and Soul, and Sandy Mush Community Center, while a grant of $46,000 went to Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry.
The board of Swannanoa Welcome Table, at its closure, was composed of Reverend Lisa Beth Ackerman, Luci Bickers, Terry Hall, Reverend Bill Henderson, Judy Keels, Reverend Robert Randolph, Jann Walker, and Cheryl Wilson.
Hundreds of volunteers made the ministry happen over its many years. The board gives special gratitude to three individuals whose time, love, and resources were especially a blessing; Jackie Kitchen, Ken Lanter and Pat Russell. The spirit of love and compassion for people in need continues through the above named organizations, who exemplify Jesus’ call to service in Matthew 25.
Reverend Robert Randolph served as the Board Chair of the Swannanoa Welcome Table