Former skating rink to become outreach center, soup kitchen

With the closure of the Benton Skate Center, a new outreach program that will serve as a soup kitchen and warming shelter is taking its place.

Bonnie Johnson, of Helping Hands, is turning the building into Helping Hands Reach Out.

Johnson has long dreamt of opening a soup kitchen in the community for those in need.

“People are still hungry,” she said.

She has long fed people who come to Helping Hands and ask.

With the soup kitchen she will be able to feed even more.

The skate center came onto Johnson’s radar when Tracy

Gray, the owner of the building, approached her. She told Johnson there was a light in the building that had been out 10 years that suddenly came on. When it did, she thought of Johnson.

Gray was planning to rent out the space and offered it Johnson.

Johnson had to pray about it. She said God kept showing her the children in the community. She called Gray back and said she would rent it.

Johnson plans to have women cook soups for people to eat.

She also plans to have games

for children and teens, along with hot dogs and nachos.

Bill and Belinda Russell will hold churches services for their church The Rock on Sunday mornings.

Johnson so far plans to have it open Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday mornings. A local church plans to lead it on Mondays. Johnson is looking for others churches or organizations to take a night. She would like to have it open every day.

Her goal is to have it open Nov. 1.

She and others are working to fix it up and get it ready to serve its new purpose.

The outreach will be for all ages, but she really wants to help children and teens.

She is not asking for money, but she wants people who are willing to mentor the teens and anyone who is willing to help provide soups.

“Just help me feed them,” she said.

So far, she has 12 sponsors who plan to help cover the cost of rent. They include Duck’s Garage, Mcclendon’s Appliance and Caravan Motors. The rest have asked to remain anonymous.

First United Methodist Benton gave tables and First Baptist Benton gave a stove.

“Churches are already jumping in and helping,” she said.

Johnson plans to have grills to cook hot dogs to give away.

She intends to be careful and have people wear masks to keep volunteers and those using the facility safe.

She intends to hold a grand opening Nov. 9 with Pastor Dewayne Miller speaking Nov. 9.

Anyone who wants to help with the outreach can call Johnson at 501-315-9999.

For those who can not help, she asks for prayer. Johnson is a big believer in prayer.