photo by Steve VanGunda

The Stewpot volunteers David Lewis, foreground, and Spencer Sylvester prepare meals Monday afternoon for area residents. Sylvester has been volunteering at the Stewpot for 22 years while Lewis has donated his time for 16 years.

Residents enjoy giving back

By Steve VanGunda | The Natchez Democrat

Published Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Natchez — People volunteer for many different reasons, but for two Natchez residents it’s the joy they get from giving back to the community that drives them.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on any given day, save for Sunday, you’ll find David Lewis and Spencer Sylvester at the Stewpot handing out meals to Natchez residents.

“I’ve been volunteering at the Stewpot since 1986,” Sylvester said. “It helps keep me active, and I want to help keep the Stewpot going because its such a good thing to have in the community.”

Lewis shares Sylvester’s reasons for volunteering.

“I volunteer because I like helping those in the community in need of it,” Lewis said.

Louis Gunning, president of the Board of Directors for the Stewpot, speaks very highly of his volunteers.

“Delivering meals is the most important part of what we do here at the Stewpot,” Gunning said. “It helps those people who are unable to prepare meals for themselves and who would otherwise go without.”

More meals are delivered than actually eaten at the Stewpot, which is why delivery volunteers are so important.

“The people we need most right now are ones who can deliver once a week,” Gunning said. “When we come up without a driver during the week I will usually go out and deliver myself.”

While the Stewpot relies heavily upon volunteers, it does have a small staff of employees. Cook Johnie Davis has been with the Stewpot for 14 years.

“I’m here six days a week cooking meals for the Stewpot,” Davis said. “It’s very enjoyable to cook for those who are in need.”

Anyone who would like to volunteer their time at the Stewpot can call Gunning at 601-442-2270 for more information.