Emmaus Ministries is hosting a special meal at the soup kitchen on Tuesday, January 9 in honor of its 50th year serving the Erie community. 

“We are thrilled that three of our Benedictine Sisters who served the first meal on January 9th, 1974–50 years ago—will be there to serve on Tuesday, including Sister Carolyn Gorny-Kopkowski, the first director of the soup kitchen; Sister Rosanne Lindal-Hynes, a current staff member; and Sister Dianne Sabol," said Sister Valerie Luckey, Director of Emmaus. 

The sisters said the dining room will be decorated as it was originally with gingham tablecloths and vases of flowers, and photos from over the past 50 years will hang on the walls. 

Sister Val said while the sisters hope for a day when their services are no longer needed, some guests have been relying on the soup kitchen for decades, and as long as their is a basic need for food, Emmaus will continue to welcome all who come. 

Those who attend the meal on Tuesday will get to enjoy pot roast, homemade mashed potatoes, a vegetable soup made from scratch, and ice cream sundaes. 

The soup kitchen first opened its doors in January 1974.