WILDWOOD, Fla. – WILDWOOD, Fla. — The Wildwood Soup Kitchen says it raised more than $2 million in less than a year, helping the Sumter County nonprofit avoid closing as food costs rise and other charities cut back.
The soup kitchen serves lunch Monday through Saturday and is a critical lifeline for many residents.
“I’m going to tell you the truth, I come here six days a week. This is how I survive,” said Levi Sesler, who said he has relied on meals at the kitchen since 2010.
Leaders at the soup kitchen said the organization was forced to relocate after a rent increase and a lease dispute at the church where it had operated for about 30 years.
Sesler said losing the soup kitchen would have been devastating.
“I wouldn’t be able to survive. I wouldn’t of because stuff isn’t cheap anymore,” he said.
President Barbara McManus credited community support for the successful fundraising push.
“We raised over $2 million. The community came forward,” McManus said.
McManus said one anonymous donor gave nearly $800,000.
The fundraising success comes as other Central Florida charities report a slowdown in giving.
News 6 reported this week that Matthew’s Hope in Winter Garden, a ministry that provides food, clothing and medical care to people experiencing homelessness, is cutting back after some donors paused recurring contributions.
Even with new funding, McManus said the soup kitchen is feeling the pressure of higher prices, even taking ground beef off the menu.
“We buy stuff at Sysco when we don’t have enough donations and lately that’s been true. Last week, our Sysco bill was higher than it’s ever been,” she said.
Volunteers said even though rising costs could mean a menu change, they plan to keep serving.
“If I live 100 more years, I’ll be here every day,” Sesler said.
The Wildwood Soup Kitchen will hold an open house and ribbon cutting on Sunday at 2 p.m. Organizers said they are still seeking donations to continue updating equipment and the space.
