January 2025 Belgrade Soup Kitchen
Day two at the Belgrade Serbian Church Soup Kitchen…
…included a visit and lunch with Patriarch Porfirije, who often visits the kitchen to show his support. President Kathy and the Our Serbs board members once again rolled up their sleeves and worked side by side with soup kitchen staff and volunteers before sitting down to lunch with the Patriarch. This annual luncheon has become a cherished tradition. When weather permits, the Patriarch often enjoys dining outdoors; otherwise, meals are held indoors. During these gatherings, the Patriarch, clergy, and Kathy Fanslow listen to comments, concerns, and questions from attendees. These interactions often spark new ideas, stemming from firsthand accounts of those receiving meals at the soup kitchen.
The Serbian Orthodox Church operates this significant soup kitchen in Belgrade, providing essential support to the city’s vulnerable populations. Established in 2014 by the Church’s humanitarian arm, Faith Charity Stewardship, the kitchen initially served approximately 800 hot meals daily. By 2022, this number had increased to about 2,000 meals each weekday, with even more served on holidays, reflecting the growing need for such services.
To enhance sustainability and reduce reliance on external donations, the Church, in collaboration with International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), initiated an agricultural development program. This initiative includes the construction of four greenhouses on Church land at the Bukovo Monastery in eastern Serbia, enabling the soup kitchen to cultivate its own produce. Additionally, a 600-square-foot facility was built to store harvested crops before their transportation to Belgrade for meal preparation.
The soup kitchen’s operations are supported by various charitable organizations such as Our Serbs, Lifeline, IOCC, various churches and kolos, along with individual donors. For instance, in 2016, a substantial donation of organic fruits and vegetables was made to the kitchen, underscoring the community’s commitment to supporting those in need.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Serbian Orthodox Church intensified its humanitarian efforts. In March 2020, the Church’s charitable organizations provided regular patrons of the soup kitchen—numbering around 1,700 at the time—with sufficient food supplies for ten days. Additionally, approximately 300 homeless individuals received canned food, ensuring continued support during these challenging times.
Our Serbs dedicates part of its efforts and funds to identifying and supporting the Serbian Orthodox Church and clergy—from the Patriarch to bishops and priests—in locating individuals and families at risk of falling through the cracks. The organization also supports larger initiatives, such as purchasing the land and water supply for Gracanica Monastery in Kosovo, ensuring the monastery’s independence. Another major project involves collaborating with the Serbian Church to build homes for Serbian Orthodox Christians living in Kosovo. Other Our Serbs significant efforts include constructing a meeting house at Kovilj Monastery for its two-year addiction program, providing transportation support for cancer treatment, funding truck-driving course tuition, and donating cattle to families to provide a sustainable food source and income. These diverse projects reflect Our Serbs’ unique mission to address special and eclectic needs that might not fit within the scope of other and larger charity organizations.
The Serbian Orthodox Church’s soup kitchen in Belgrade exemplifies the Church’s dedication to social welfare, offering vital assistance to the city’s most vulnerable residents through sustained charitable initiatives and community engagement.
God bless the generous donors who make this work possible. Rest assured that 100% of your donations go directly to supporting incredible initiatives under the guidance of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
