Council approves $20k for soup kitchen

The Monroe City Council approved spending $20,000 from its budget to provide support for the Granny Goins Community Soup Kitchen.

The council amended a proposed resolution on Tuesday’s council agenda to make the donation come from the council’s budget. The original resolution requested the administration make the $20,000 donation.

The Monroe City Council wanted to allocate $20,000 to the Granny Goins Kitchen after officials last week said it could close in November due to financial concerns.

On Monday, Madison Goins, son of the late Lillie Bell “Granny” Goins, attended a press conference with Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo where he said the group would not accept the funding.

Members of the soup kitchen, including Goins’ family, attended Tuesday’s meeting where they said Madison Goins did not speak on behalf of the organization.

“Unbeknownst to any of us affiliated with this organization, he held a meeting with Mayor Jamie Mayo. Mr. Goins is not affiliated with the United League of Churches Community Soup Kitchen. He does not serve at any capacity, nor on any governing board. Mr. Goins comments and opinions are solely his and do not reflect those of the organization,” members of the organization said in a letter submitted to the council.

The matter was approved unanimously by the city council.

Lillie Bell “Granny” Goins died in 2003. She and her husband, Farmer, began their charity outreach by preparing meals at their home and serving from the trunk of their car along DeSiard Street. This lasted eight years until the operations were moved to its present location inside a home on Plum Street.

Thousands of people throughout northeastern Louisiana have been assisted by the organization over the past two decades, Goins said. Some even catch rides from other parishes on the days the kitchen provides food.

Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday the kitchen feeds the homeless. Almost 100 people are served each day of operation.