On September 8, 1980, the Mercy Soup Kitchen served its first meal to hungry people in Wyandanch. Lead by Sister Mary Agunta Boyle of the Order of The Sisters of Mercy, volunteers provided meals to needy, local residents. To this day, it continues to be located in the basement of Trinity Lutheran Church at 17 South 20th. Street in Wyandanch.

Supported by voluntary contributions, we provide our guests with a nutritious hot lunch prepared in our kitchen and a take home bagged meal of several sandwiches, fresh fruit, and snacks. We are open from 11:30 AM until 1 PM Monday through Friday. Trinity Lutheran Church also serves a hot meal at the same time the third Saturday the month.

From 9 to 15 volunteers staff the daily operation. The volunteers are your neighbors. They are retired police, teachers, housewives, working men and women etc. During the last several years, we have had a marked increase in the number of guests; we are now serving an average of 130 people a day. On occasion, 175 plus have eaten with us.  When the door opens at noon, we never know how many people will show up. Whatever the number, we make sure that everyone is fed. 

A typical day begins at around 7 AM when our volunteer chef opens the door and starts preparing the food. The food is prepared to “Suffolk County Department of Health Services” standards. The remainder of the team arrives a bit later to get ready for “show time” at 11:30 AM. After the meal is served and the guests have left we turn our attention to clean up and close up. We are done around 2 PM. Most of our food is donated, and all complies with health department regulations. 

We will continue to serve the community as long the need exists. We also welcome you to join our efforts by both volunteering your time and by making a contribution to the Mercy Soup Kitchen. Monetary contributions can be mailed to P.O. Box 1642, Wyandanch, NY 11798. 

To discuss volunteering, please call Ms. Peppi Perrotta (631-944-2957). 

Thank you for your interest.

Vito W. Colletti  President