Gina Gaylor’s Living Bread Soup Kitchen
“On a scale of one to 10, I’d give them a 12.”
That’s how Somerset radio executive David Carr describes the character and contributions of our Cooperative Hero for December, Gina Gaylor, and her family, who operate a soup kitchen serving free meals in Somerset.
“We started out serving around 30 to 50 people, and now it’s up to approximately 60 to 80,” Gaylor says. “I usually fix about enough for 100 servings. If we have anything left over, we will take what we have to a nearby trailer park where some elderly and disabled people live.”
The Living Bread Soup Kitchen opened only once a month in the beginning, but gifts from supporters and proceeds from fund-raising projects have enabled Gaylor, a member of South Kentucky RECC, to open the kitchen every Tuesday evening.
“I know there’s not that many totally homeless people in Somerset, but it’s not just for the homeless,” she says. “It’s for people who are just down on their luck or having to deal with all the layoffs and making ends meet.”
Supporters of the kitchen often come for a meal and leave donations.
Usually, about six volunteers show up to help, but Gaylor has a list of some 20 who are willing to work if called. There was not enough space to include all the names of individuals and businesses she wanted to thank for helping keep the kitchen open.
The youngest of three children of a northern Kentucky couple, Gaylor developed her gift for giving as a child.
Her parents, the late Morris and Fay Davis, spent their lives reaching out to those in need. Her father worked for a moving company and served as pastor of a nondenominational church without pay in downtown Cincinnati, and she remembers her mother serving meals in their home to the needy.
Although assistance from all churches is welcomed—and Gaylor shares her deep faith at every opportunity—the kitchen is not affiliated with any church.
It is currently housed in The Gospel Singing Barn owned by David Carr, who allows the kitchen to use it rent-free.
“Last Christmas we served 158 people,” Gina recalls. “We’re planning to cook a traditional Christmas meal for 200 this year.
