ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — Since beginning the monthly soup kitchen at the George P. Thames Senior Center in Robertsdale, Becky Hayes says the program continues to grow.

On Friday, volunteers served chicken and dumplings to area residents and delivered meals to shut-ins unable to attend the monthly gatherings, which are on the last Friday of every month at the Senior Center.

“We started out delivering to 18 people,” Hayes said. “Now it is over 60.”

Hayes said all of the volunteers whom she started with continue to work with the program, including co-chairman Claudia Barbee, along with volunteers from the senior center, including Director Sarah Duncan, Virgie Peterson, Dot Thorne, Martha Young and Judy Rabren, among others, who cook and serve the meals.

Volunteers, including Heidi Warner and Dot Bishop, also deliver meals to shut-ins every month, Hayes said.

Hayes said while they will not turn anyone away who needs a hot meal, donations are gladly accepted from those who want to come and support the program.

“We also take donations of desserts, canned goods, paper products and utensils,” she said.

If you would like to donate, contact Hayes or Barbee at the Senior Center, 251-947-8973, or donations can be dropped off directly at the center, located at 22651 E. Chicago St.