November 29, 2009 - MILLVILLE -- The soup kitchen at the Bethel AME Church has seen an increase in the numbers and ages of people who are taking advantage of its free meals and social services.

The program provides a free lunch to local residents four days a week.

Pastor Charles Wilkins, founder and CEO of the church's nonprofit organization Bethel Development Corp., said participation in the meal program has increased by 30 percent in the past year.

Last month, the facility on South 5th Street served 3,800 meals -- a record in the program's 12-year history.

"Things are rough now," Wilkins said. "This gets more important every year as things get tougher."

The meal program traditionally served to homeless people and senior citizens, but Wilkins said there has been an influx of younger people, many of whom have lost their jobs.

"A lot of them seem to be hopeless, and we're trying to get them help" through the organization's social services, he said.

The church is preparing up to 700 meals for today's annual Thanksgiving meal.

On Tuesday, the church and its volunteers distributed 325 Thanksgiving baskets that were donated by local residents, church members, and organizations. The baskets included turkeys, fruits and vegetables, gravy, stuffing mix, pasta, gravy, cheese and broth.

Members of the St. Augustine Prep wrestling team were on hand Tuesday to help assemble the baskets and deliver the groceries to residents' cars.

Millville resident Norma Jones said she plans to have at least a dozen people to her home on Thanksgiving and the basket is a big help.

"Anyone who wants to stop by is welcome," she said.

By JOEL LANDAU, The Daily Journal