UPDATE:  Thank you all for such a generous response to this appeal!  We are overwhelmed that in only a week we raised enough money to replace the dishwasher.  Any donations already on their way will be used to purchase chemicals and offset the operating costs of the Soup Kitchen.  Thank you again!!

Crisis Ministries needs your help in the Soup Kitchen!  As some of you know, the dishwasher stopped working and cannot be repaired.  From time to time, we are asked what tangible items we need at the shelter.  This is a time we must ask for your help.

Until we replace the dishwasher, staff, guests and volunteers are handwashing over 475 plates and all the pots and pans each day during Soup Kitchen, Men's breakfast and Men's dinner.  This is not a permanent solution.  DHEC requires dishes to be washed at 125 degrees and sanitized at 180 or chemically sanitized. With the volume of dishes in our main kitchen, we cannot guarantee this will happen with handwashing.  With a working commercial grade dishwasher, we can ensure guests are safe and dishes are sanitized properly.  

Bethel United Methodist Church made the first pledge toward this effort in the amount of $500.  Other offline donations include:  First Scots Presbyterian, $1,000; First Baptist Church of Charleston, $400; and Daniel Island Foundation, $1,000. If your family, business or church has an emergency fund, please consider helping with this needed item.  All donations made toward this unexpected expense are appreciated.