TEMPLE EDUCATION MINISTRIES,INC.
H.O.P.E. Soup Kitchen Founder Honored at Life Center Dedication
Community celebrates years of service as Temple Education Ministries recognizes
the leadership and compassion behind the H.O.P.E. Soup Kitchen.
On Saturday, February 28, family, church members, volunteers, and community supporters
gathered at Temple Education Ministries in Inman, South Carolina, for a special luncheon
celebrating the service and impact of First Lady Carolyn B. Landrum, founder and director of the
H.O.P.E. Soup Kitchen. The event included the dedication of the Life Center building and the
unveiling of a commemorative plaque honoring her years of leadership and service.
The H.O.P.E. Soup Kitchen—Helping Others Prosper & Excel—operates as a community
outreach program under Temple Education Ministries, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Through
nourishing meals, fellowship, and compassionate outreach, the ministry serves individuals and
families facing food insecurity while connecting them with resources that support stability, dignity,
and hope.
Landrum reflected on the ministry’s humble beginnings. The soup kitchen opened on July 1,
2009, serving just 15 people with the help of volunteers from the church.
“We didn’t have many resources, but we had willing hearts,” Landrum shared. “We didn’t know
exactly how it would all work—we just knew God told us to serve, and we said yes.”
What began as a small effort has grown into a ministry supported by dedicated volunteers and
generous community partners.
Several speakers also reflected on Landrum’s character and leadership, describing a woman
whose integrity, discipline, and compassion have shaped the ministry since its earliest days.
During the tributes, several speakers—unaware of one another’s prepared remarks—each
described Landrum in ways that reflected the qualities of a Proverbs 31 woman. Again and again,
their words echoed the character outlined in the scripture, highlighting her diligence, stewardship,
strength, compassion, and unwavering commitment to serving others. The moment resonated
deeply throughout the room as the verse, “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them
all,” was referenced. Heads throughout the audience nodded in quiet agreement as the sincere
and heartfelt acknowledgments reflected the life of service so many had witnessed firsthand.
One speaker noted that Landrum is an exceptional steward of resources, joking that she could
“squeeze a Lincoln until he blinked,” a lighthearted way of acknowledging her careful
management of funds to ensure that as much as possible goes directly to helping those in need.
Others spoke about her strong sense of fairness. Known as a rule follower, Landrum has long
believed that if something cannot be done for everyone, it should not be done for just one. Her
leadership style—sometimes affectionately described as that of a “drill sergeant”—reflects her
commitment to doing things the right way so the ministry can serve people with excellence and
integrity.
Speakers also highlighted her true servant’s heart. For many years, Landrum chose not to take a
salary so that more of the ministry’s resources could go directly to those who needed it most.
In her remarks, Landrum expressed gratitude to her husband and pastor, the church board who
organized the celebration, the many volunteers who have faithfully served, and the supporters
who helped sustain the ministry.
Reflecting on the unexpected path that led her to this work after retirement, Landrum shared a
guiding truth that has shaped her journey of service: “Purpose doesn’t retire. It simply shifts.” For
those gathered that afternoon, the dedication of the Life Center served not only as a recognition
of her years of leadership, but as a testament to a life lived in faithful service to others—one that
many in attendance quietly recognized as the embodiment of the virtues celebrated in Proverbs
These last two years have been busy at Temple Education Ministries (H.O.P.E. SoupKitchen). We have continued our mission despite the pandemic. During this time, we followed the science–social distancing guidelines from the CDC and nutritional advice from WHO; modified our service model to reflect changing guidelines and increased need, and stuck to our roots in the faith community.
We have tried to walk in God’s will during the recent COVID-19 crises and serve those who are less fortunate. While we were not able to preach or have a planned ministry while serving at our soup kitchen, we were able to model a life of service to others that honor our LORD, Jesus Christ. During the COVID-19 crisis, our participant’s health and safety were our primary concern.
In 2021, 14.5% of Spartanburg County residents were considered food insecure. AtH.O.P.E. Soup Kitchen, we serve the frail food-insecure population in Northern
Spartanburg County. Eighty-one percent of our participants are over 60; 56% are
minorities; 78% are female; 33% are on Medicaid and SNAP, and 46% of those over 60 live alone. Most of our participants are retired and live on minimal social security payments of about $886 per month. In a 2018 survey, we determined that 6% had kidney disease, 31% had chronic lung disease, 31% had diabetes and 53% had some form of chronic heart disease.
The demographics and health status of our participants made them extremely vulnerable to complications and death due to the COVID-19 virus.
H.O.P.E. Soup kitchen is a state-of-the-art stainless steel kitchen physically located in the Life Center of Greater Saint James Temple. It is staffed by a committed, loyal volunteer staff. COVID-19 has changed our service model from one that stresses socialization and community to one that limits physical contact and stresses social distancing with the use of PPE. Our congregation prayed, we responded to prayer requests, we asked for favor for our participants and we anointed the doors to theSoup Kitchen.
We were blessed to receive grants that allowed us to increase our ability to provide take-home food, hygiene supplies, and PPE to our participants from
Spartanburg County Foundation, Circle 555, Spartanburg Regional Foundation, Broad River Charities Round-Up, and South Carolina Cares.
During COVID-19 we were able to increase our service by 187%. By providing a safe, anointed area for participants to obtain needed food, hygiene supplies (wipes, wipes, sanitizer) we were able to help our participants limit the spread of COVID-19. Our results were astounding. We had 4 cases of COVID-19 with one death in a frail, at-risk population. During this time, there were 42,074 cases of COVID-19 and 832deaths in Spartanburg County due to COVID-19.
