GREAT MILLS, Md. – In 1993, two Catholic nuns began serving soup and sandwiches out of a station wagon, laying the foundation for what would become St. Mary’s Caring Soup Kitchen. Today, it stands as the only full-time soup kitchen in Southern Maryland, evolving into a vital community gathering space.
In 1998, following the dissolution of their corporation, the nuns handed over their assets and responsibilities to Dana McGarity. Alongside other members of the community, McGarity established the St. Mary’s Caring Soup Kitchen, renaming the original “Mary’s Song”. This soup kitchen operates as an independent non-profit entity, unassociated with any other organizations.
After transitioning from Mary’s Song, a car-based outreach, to an official soup kitchen, the nonprofit relocated to a facility opposite the Lexington Park Post Office, and later moved to a leased space within the Good Samaritan Church on Great Mills Rd.
Initially, the soup kitchen provided nearly 4,000 meals annually, but by 2022, this number surged to 120,000, largely as a result of the pandemic. This significant rise in demand highlighted the need for a larger facility. Consequently, the organization established a building fund and embarked on a search for a new location.
Kristine Millen, the Executive Director of St. Mary’s Caring, shared that finding properties for expansion proved difficult, as many owners were reluctant to lease or sell to a soup kitchen. It was during this search for space that a serendipitous opportunity arose. Near their operation at the Good Samaritan Lutheran Church, the Brass Rail Sports Bar, a once-popular spot for sports and social events, stood vacant. The pandemic had forced its closure, leading its owners, Charles and Hilda Gatton, to sell it to Joseph “Bubby” Knott, owner of the Great Mills Trading Post construction company, and his family in November of 2021.
After touring the Brass Rail property in April 2022 and deeming it perfect for expansion, Millen and the soup kitchen board drafted a letter to the Knott family, expressing their interest and inquiring if the Knotts would consider donating part of the property’s sale price. Karen Siebert, Knott’s daughter, recounts her father’s heartfelt reaction upon reading the letter: “His first thought was, ‘Let’s just give it to them.’ He believed his success was a gift from the community he was raised in, and he was constantly looking for ways to repay that kindness.”
Knott’s generosity went well beyond merely donating the Brass Rail property. St. Mary’s Caring was pleasantly surprised to discover that the donation also encompassed tables, chairs, and a fully stocked kitchen. The new location offered more space, with 11,000 sq ft, compared to the 2,200 sq ft provided by its previous location in the Lutheran Church. Though the space needed some refurbishing, after the renovations were complete, the soup kitchen found itself with ample room to fully cater to the community’s needs.
Since its inception, the soup kitchen has provided free meals to anyone in need, no questions asked including children, families facing hardships, low-income elderly individuals, the homeless, and people who are unemployed or working but still struggling. They serve breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. and lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday. With a newly refurbished, expanded space, St. Mary’s Caring has been able to offer so much more. Since opening doors in their brand new space, the soup kitchen has evolved into a welcoming community gathering space.
As guests step inside, they find themselves enveloped in a bright and welcoming atmosphere, complete with white tablecloths and vibrant flowers on every table. Here, friendly volunteers serve up wholesome and tasty meals with warm smiles. In the winter, guests find a cozy refuge from the cold, and in the summer, a cool escape from the heat, all while enjoying games or assembling puzzles with friends.
The organization recognizes the significant impact that art, music, and reading have in creating a welcoming environment and enriching people’s lives. Through a partnership with the St. Mary’s County Arts Council, a rotating art gallery has been introduced in the soup kitchen’s dining area. This gallery proudly displays vibrant artworks, mainly from students of the Chesapeake Public Charter School and Bay Montessori School, as well as creations from local senior centers. Further contributing to this artistic ambiance, local artist and teacher Deb McClure leads art classes twice a month. To elevate the mood and celebrate special occasions, live music performances are also arranged, adding a festive element to the atmosphere. Moreover, a free library has been set up on-site, offering visitors the opportunity to select a book to keep, thereby deepening their cultural experience.
Most amazingly, the nonprofit has received a gold star rating from the health department through their Gold Star Program for 5 years in a row indicating that the organization strictly adheres to the highest level of food safety standards and cleanliness – a tremendous feat in itself, but especially astounding given the nonprofit is run with mostly a volunteer staff. Volunteers, who are required to attend a St. Mary’s County Health Department Food and Safety course within their first six months, are a vital piece of the soup kitchen’s day-to-day operations as they assist with cooking, cleaning, serving, making food pick-ups and deliveries, facility maintenance and more. Millen shares how working together for such an important cause pulls everyone together. She notes that many of the volunteers come back year after year, and truly become members of the organization’s family.
Student volunteers are also welcome. The Junior Volunteer Program is tailored for students aged 6 to 17 years old. It’s part of the kitchen’s Operation No Starvation (ONS) initiative, which aims to instill in Junior Volunteers a sense of generosity and community service. ONS emphasizes hunger prevention by organizing fundraising and food drive campaigns to support St Mary’s Caring. This program encourages children to participate in community service early on, thus laying the groundwork for lifelong habits of giving back and making a difference in their communities.
St. Mary’s Caring is supported by donations from the community, various organizations, and community partners. Collaborating with local entities such as Med-Star St. Mary’s County Hospital, the St. Mary’s County Health Department, St. Mary’s County Public Schools, and more, the organization extends its services well beyond meals. It offers vaccinations, wellness checks, resource assistance, and critical programs. For example, the “Family in Food Crises” program supplies immediate food aid to individuals or families facing emergencies until they can access a food pantry. Similarly, the “Feed the Families” program provides weekly groceries, including fresh produce and fruit sourced from local farmers, to children in poverty during summer, spring, and winter breaks.
Kristine Millen, Executive Director of St. Mary’s Caring, emphasizes that unexpected situations can leave anyone in need of help. She highlights the story of a family, where the parents, despite working five jobs, face difficulties managing the costs associated with their daughter’s numerous critical surgeries, along with their daily living expenses. Additionally, Millen recounts the assistance provided by the soup kitchen to the residents of Spring Valley Apartments in Lexington Park, who were forced to evacuate due to a significant fire. In collaboration with the Red Cross, which arranged for the residents’ accommodation in a nearby hotel, the soup kitchen ensured the delivery of meals to the displaced individuals six days a week over two weeks.
Support from the community is essential for the soup kitchen to sustain its mission of providing free meals to those in need. Donations, both monetary and in-kind, are deeply valued. St. Mary’s Caring encourages potential contributors to visit their website to see a list of urgent needs and discover how to donate. It’s important to note that the soup kitchen cannot accept expired food items, as ensuring the health and safety of the recipients is a top priority. Volunteers are also crucial to the organization’s success. St. Mary’s Caring is always on the lookout for compassionate and dedicated individuals to assist with its important programs and services. For those looking to volunteer, information on current opportunities can be found on their website. Please note, that volunteer applications are available in person by appointment only.
Through generous donations and the support of dedicated volunteers, the soup kitchen was able to serve more than 147,000 meals in 2023 to families in need across the county, significantly addressing a critical need within the community. The generous gift of the Brass Rail property from Joseph “Bubby” Knott and his family was instrumental in that endeavor. Until his passing in January of this year, Knott was a familiar face at the soup kitchen, where he would engage with guests, listen to their stories, and help them feel seen and appreciated. Millen fondly refers to Knott as a “Guardian Angel”, and relays how his presence is still felt at the soup kitchen with guests often gathering to exchange tales of his kindness and generosity.
In another heartwarming show of support, the Knott family requested donations to two crucial community-serving organizations, Hospice of St. Mary’s and St. Mary’s Caring Soup Kitchen, in memory of Joseph “Bubby” Knott. Millen reveals that donations surged from the community after his funeral. Even more poignant than the contributions made in his memory were the heartwarming tales shared by the donors, many recounting his generous nature and the ways he had also supported them. Millen was deeply moved by the generosity the Knott family and the community have shown towards the soup kitchen, stating, “Our community’s support is amazing” She emphasizes the significance of communal care, saying, “So many people care and that’s what changes a community.”
As St. Mary’s Caring Soup Kitchen continues its vital mission of providing free meals to anyone in need, the impact of Joseph “Bubby” Knott’s legacy and the collective generosity of the community continue to resonate within its walls. Through acts of kindness, large and small, the community has woven a tapestry of support that not only feeds the hungry but also nourishes the soul of the county itself.
The story of the Knott family’s generosity and the subsequent wave of support from the community stands as a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of collective action. As Millen and her team continue as stewards of a wonderful gift to the community, they do so with the knowledge that they are not alone in their mission. The spirit of “Bubby” Knott lives on, inspiring others to give, care, and change the community for the better.
To conclude, the essential role of St. Mary’s Caring in our community has never been clearer, revealing that those in hardship could very well be our own friends and neighbors. The growing need in our community is staggering, but it’s also heartwarming to know that there are people who are ready to lend a hand. The example given by Joseph “Bubby” Knott and his family shows what a difference can be made when we look within our hearts to find ways to support one another. Whether it is through volunteering, donating, or simply sharing a kind word, each gesture of kindness helps to build a stronger, more compassionate community. In the spirit of Millen’s words: It’s the care and support we offer each other that truly changes a community. And in this community, change has already begun, one act of kindness at a time.
To learn more about St. Mary’s Caring Soup Kitchen and how to show your support please visit: https://www.stmaryscaring.org/
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The man was truly generous to his community … and in such a quiet way, never expecting anything in return.