Page 109 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2021

GIVING BACK
THE KING’S KITCHEN
story by Lynn Lofton photos courtesy of King’s Kitchen
The King’s Kitchen has been filling a need in Bay St. Louis since November 2012 by serving hot meals to anyone who needs it – mostly homeless men but everyone is welcome. It was begun by pastor Mike Ramsey and his wife Terri of Central Baptist Church. They were soon joined by Connie Lyons, also an ordained minister.
“I’ve always had a love for the homeless,” Lyons says. “I had a stroke and could not continue working at Stennis so the King’s Kitchen is a place where I can serve.”
Ramsey, Lyons says, had a vision to offer more than food. The facility has clothing and an outreach room for other articles along with a hair salon where men and women can get hair cuts to help them prepare for job interviews. “The Diamondhead Community Church is helping us build out space where we will be able to offer showers,” Lyons said.
The pandemic has reduced the kitchen’s serving days to three. They prepare a minimum of 150 meals each day. “Sometimes it’s 180 and has topped 200 for the past few months,” Lyons said. “We’re seeing more people and families since the pandemic started. And we see veterans, which is sad.”
Back Row: Landry Lemoine, Dean Kraner, Harold Netto, Cassie Lassabe, Mitch Tinsley, Jordan Evans, Brandon White.
Front Row: Tesia Lee, Holly Lemoine-Raymond,
Connie Lyons, Katy Aime, Darienne Crosby, Alesia Fouasnon.
Some days the volunteers are scraping to pull the meals together. “It takes $100 for 150 meals such as red beans and rice and spaghetti,” she said. “We are funded by donations from individuals, organizations and churches. Every dime goes into the King’s Kitchen.”
In addition to donations, the King’s Kitchen needs volunteers so they can serve meals more days. They’re thankful for the volunteers they have from local businesses such as HL Raymond Properties, churches, St. Stanislaus school, and sometimes the courts send volunteers to do community service.
The King’s Kitchen
2005 Longfellow Rd. Bay St. Louis 228.493.4796
The HL Raymond team with
Connie Lyons of The King’s Kitchen.
LENDING HELPING HANDS TO HANCOCK COUNTY
529 Ulman Ave., Bay St. Louis | www.hlraymondproperties.com 228.466.6643
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net
December 2021 | 109