It won’t make front page news, but today some children got a free lunch. Several ladies came together with pots of homemade soup, some PB & J sandwiches, as well as cookies- baked from scratch, to feed children they did not know. They did it just because they wanted to make a difference in someone’s life, to do something nice for a stranger.

Dale Spicer, Director of the HELP Center in Dickson, stated that he is seeing new faces come in to the Help Center seeking assistance. Men and women, who have held regular full-time jobs for years, suddenly find themselves unemployed and in need of help. They NEVER thought it could happen to them; they never dreamed they would be at the local food pantry having to ask for money to keep their lights on or food to feed their children. With the economy as it is, many people are finding themselves in similar circumstances: unable to find a job.

Curious about how joblessness has effected the good people of Dickson County, I have spoken with organizers of local church food pantries as well as people from the Dept of Children’s Services and the School Board and realize that there are, indeed, hungry children in Dickson. They may not be living under a bridge or in a car, but the need is very real just the same. Rachel Carter, director of Dickson Housing Authority’s Community Center, sees children come into the center after school because no one is home and they are hungry. Like many of the local food pantry organizers, Rachel has heard that often children who receive free lunch at school do not have enough to eat on the weekends. Although a Back-Pack program has been started in local schools, whereby students are sent home with some non-perishable food on Friday to get them through the weekend, Rachel has seen generous children sharing their Back-Pack food with friends on Friday afternoons.

It can make a person feel so small while considering how huge the problem is nation wide and so helpless in doing anything about it. One person’s effort can not change the tide for the nation, but can one person help change things in his or her own community? What about several people working together?

Wondering what could be done to help families in troubled times; I decided that I could work within my sphere of influence and revive the spirits and hope of a few families by doing something unexpected and kind. I knew I could not make vats of soup to feed masses of people, but I could make one pot of soup and one plate of sandwiches and feed a few hungry children. I asked a few other women to each make one pot of soup and one plate of sandwiches, and another friend to make cookies, and together we made enough food to feed many children. I wanted this to be a united effort, I wanted to cross denominational lines in the Dickson community, so the womenI invited to join me  are  from different church denominations: Lisa Glaser of Hope Park Church in Nashville, Linda Eppers of Cross Point Church, Dickson , Tawnya Pezzi of Dickson First Assembly and Sandra Chatham of Dickson’s First Baptist Church and I did what we could to reach whom we could. We set up at the DHA Community Center on East Walnut and served what we had to those who showed up to receive it. And it felt GREAT!

I am reminded not to despise small beginnings as we dished out only 25 bowls of soup this time. But with only 4 days notice, I consider that a huge success! Did we change the world? No. Did we stomp out hunger in Dickson? No. We put smiles on faces of children and their parent’s by showing them what the love of a stranger can look like. Just for today. And the leftovers were given to various families with in the community.

Next month, February 20th to be exact, from 11:30 to 12:30 ( or until the soup runs out) we, Soup For the Soul, will be back at the DHA Community Center dishing out more free soup & sandwiches-with a cookie on the side, to any hungry child, in search of more smiles. We will be doing our little bit for the community.

Now, ask yourselves: What can I do to make a difference in my community? Find some friends if you need to and change your corner of the world. Even if only for a day. Do what you can with what you have, nothing more and be satisfied with nothing less.

If you would like more information, you are welcome to e-mail me at soupforthesoul@live.com.

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Windy became acquainted with autism when her son Bailey was diagnosed at the age of 4. While she knew there was something going on with him because he had not made many milestones of a typically developing 4 year old, the diagnosis of autism brought more questions. “the only example of the disorder for me was Dustin Hoffman in ‘Rainman’”

Bailey has been fortunate to be blessed with a wonderful teacher at Charlotte Elementary School that has worked with him and encouraged him to open up and blossom. This last May for awards day he was awarded the Lucas McClain Award for Outstanding Effort and Improvement In Physical Education. Now, at the age of 10, Bailey loves singing and dancing. He is a performer through and through.

“Bailey is considered a mild/moderate high functioning autisic. He is verbal and does carry more conversation now than he did at a younger age. There are times when he has “bad days” when he doesn’t want to talk to anyone. He doesn’t understand the basic concept of money. He doesn’t understand “why” a lot. It doesn’t matter to me. When he tells me “I love you mom”, I know he understands that.” says Windy.

Bailey and other autistic children and children with autism spectrum disorders are why Windy signed up to do the 2nd Annual Walk NOW for Autism in October. In order to get donations for the walk she and several of her friends with SOUS are putting together the Rock for Autism concert.

The Rock for Autism concert will be September 5th at the Dickson County Housing Authority. On the line up are area bands Disarray, Mindsplitter, Downslave, The Hero Brings Revenge, Bradbury and a special appearance by Bailey Dotson. There will be a silent auction and food also. Doors open at 5pm and the concert starts at 7pm. Admission is $5. For more information visit www.myspace.com/sousforautism.