Local soup kitchen serving up more than just soup

"I started with a pot and a hot plate 18 years ago."

Dale Dunning has dedicated her life to others, but it all started with soup.

"I would do different types of soup, I'd go into the thrift stores and get cookbooks. If it called for peas I'd add green beans, if it called for green beans I'd add Lima beans. I made it my own recipe and they started to enjoy it and I really enjoyed preparing the soup for the people, I loved it," says Dale.

And once she started, there was no looking back.

"You start feeding people and loving on people and encouraging people and you know they said I did something for them but they've done a lot for me too," Dale adds, "It gave you a chance to talk to people, to listen to them, to pray with them, to encourage them, just to love on them a little bit."

That love for feeding others only blossomed back in 2011 when Extreme Makeover Home Edition gave Dale more than she could ever imagine.

"I'm going to remember and I'm never going to forget Extreme Makeover. When I walked into that kitchen I didn't have the words to express how excited I was."

Jusst Sooup Ministries has since turned into a place welcoming all walks of life.  

"Whoever walks through the door we just love on them and encourage them and feed them," Dale continues, "You'd be amazed at some of the people that walk through the door there are those that have that end up not having there are those that don't have that come and everyone is welcome."

But despite the name, Dale is providing more than just a bowl of soup.

Long time volunteer Lois Carter says, "Most people have no idea what she's done for this community. The people she's helped to feed, the medical bills, she's paid the tires, she's bought the tanks of gas she'd put in cars, the prescriptions she's gone and picked up."

Although Dale's soup is a focal point for most.

"Well I've tried every soup that's she's had, I've enjoyed it all, very tasteful. She's a great cook as far as I know," says Anthony Hopkins.

But Dale's just glad she can provide that meal to nearly 100 people each week.

"You know they say they're blessed but I think that I'm even more blessed then they are," exclaims Dale.

"We need everyone to actually be like Dale," says Anthony.

Each week Dale serves anywhere from 60 to 100 people keeping their soup kitchen packed to the brim.

That's why they are trying to add even more space.

Dale is currently raising funds for this back porch. She tells us with a packed house its sometimes hard to help people when they need it most.

Turning this back porch into an enclosed space with windows and seating could allow for better one on one private space for those who need it.

"We want to enclose it put windows to it, doors, heat and air conditioner where people can come. It's going to be like a ministry room where people can come and sit down and they can share with you with no one else around, it will be private," says Dale.

It'll be a place for people who just need someone to listen to them – without the whole soup kitchen hearing.

Dale has even started a GoFundMe page.