St. Mary's Caring Soup Kitchen

04/09/2026

We earned another one!
St. Mary’s County Health Department routinely inspects restaurants and other food service facilities to ensure food safety standards are met. Inspectors closely evaluate critical food safety measures that are most likely to contribute to food-borne illness. Based on the outcomes of routine inspections, SMCHD awards Gold Star recognition to businesses that have maintained excellent food safety standards.
Gold Star Requirements
 No critical violations (based on Maryland regulations)
 No temperature violations cited during a monitoring inspection
 All violations noted by an inspector must be corrected by a 30-day follow-up inspection
 No confirmed unsafe food handling complaints
 At least one food service worker completed a recognized and approved Food Safety Class within the last two years
Thank you Mark, for accepting the award on behalf of St. Mary's Caring Soup Kitchen. Mark is a volunteer and plays an integral role in keeping our kitchen bright and shiny, as do our regular volunteers.

04/06/2026

Our guests truly enjoyed our annual egg coloring last week in preparation for Easter. These type of activities not only provide a bit of relief from life challenges but they bring out a creativeness that gives a sense of satisfaction for a completed project.

04/03/2026

We are accepting volunteer applications for our Summer Shine Dinners, which take place every Monday and Thursday evenings between June 22 and August 13. All volunteers are required to take the virtual Food Safety Class conducted by St. Mary’s County Health Department which takes place Wednesday, April 15, as well as attending a mandatory New Volunteer Orientation at the soup kitchen on Saturday, April 18.
Volunteers must be at least 15 years old. Ages 15-17 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian, and they also need to take the Food Safety Class.
Applications may be picked up by appointment. Email [email protected] to schedule a time.
To register for the Food Safety Class, call (301) 475-4321 or email [email protected]!

04/01/2026

03/25/2026

We are accepting volunteer applications for our Summer Shine Dinners, which take place every Monday and Thursday evenings between June 22 and August 13. All volunteers are required to take the virtual Food Safety Class conducted by St. Mary’s County Health Department which takes place Wednesday, April 15, as well as attending a mandatory New Volunteer Orientation at the soup kitchen on Saturday, April 18.
Volunteers must be at least 15 years old. Ages 15-17 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian, and they also need to take the Food Safety Class.
Applications may be picked up by appointment. Email [email protected] to schedule a time.
To register for the Food Safety Class, call (301) 475-4321 or email [email protected]!

03/21/2026

So proud of our junior volunteers in our Operation No Starvation program who spent the day creating fun for the kids attending the Cherry Blossom Festival in Lexington Park today. Oppie the Otter made his debut today as the official ONS mascot. Oppie was designed and hand-sewn by one of members. These kids are the cream of the crop, and we are blessed to have them represent St. Mary's Caring Soup Kitchen.

03/20/2026

03/17/2026

Irish eyes were smiling today! Happy St. Patty's Day to all!

03/16/2026

Operation No Starvation, our junior volunteer program, is cancelled tonight.