The all-volunteer staff of our soup kitchens has been serving the greater Port Jefferson area since the 1970’s. Starting out as independent church kitchens, the kitchens eventually consolidated and in 2016 were incorporated as an independent not-for-profit organization, “Welcome Friends of Greater Port Jefferson Inc.” (dba “Welcome Friends”). We are self-sustaining with a solid foundation of local community support and serve our neighbors with the same caring tradition of dignity and respect that has been our hallmark for many decades.
We provide hot nutritious meals four days every week even through the current Covid 19 pandemic. Our commitment and dedication enable us to continue to serve even though the dining facilities have been shuttered for the duration of the crisis. “Take home” meals are cooked in our kitchens when possible and purchased from local restaurants when needed to ensure that our guests need not fear the loss of meals.
The volunteers form an outstanding team that addresses hunger in our Greater Port Jefferson community—and work hard to expand relationships with individual supporters, local food markets, farm stands, religious institutions, community leaders, local village government and other agencies. Our teams create a sense of community for neighbors affected by hunger and poverty by serving in a safe hospitable environment.
Ted Lucki, current President, commented “Gratitude cannot be adequately expressed for the encouragement and support that the Port Jefferson area community has provided to help our less fortunate neighbors.”