CAMDEN — The First Congregational Church, at 55 Elm St. in Camden, welcomes back patrons and friends to its Wednesday Soup Kitchen, held at the church from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Debbi Hitchings is the director of Church Life for First Congregational. She is also the soup-ervisor for the Wednesday soup kitchen.

“We have about 18 volunteers here every week,” she said. “We have two chefs. One makes a meat soup and one makes a vegetarian. We also have a sous chef who helps make the soups right here in our own kitchen. We have waiters and waitresses. We ask people not to serve themselves; they come and they’re served. We have people who set up the dining room and people who clean the dining room and people who wash dishes. And we have a lot of fun doing it.”

This week, the musicians were Rosey and the Wayfaring Strangers.

Hitchings said they average 86 people a week. The kitchen is open Wednesdays through March, except holidays and when local schools are canceled. While there is no charge for the meal, donations are accepted. I asked Hitchings if the donations supported their efforts.

“We do break even and we usually have a little profit at the end of the year that we use to buy some things for the kitchen and get ready for the next year,” she said. “And we are able to pay the people back for their ingredients to make the soup, so they’re not out. There’s always a basket by the door and if somebody wants to put something in, that’s great.”

Beryl Charlton started the soup kitchen at the church eight years ago. She said the very first week of the soup kitchen’s inception 40-some people showed up to volunteer and within three weeks it was happening.

“I think it’s wonderful to look around and see people having such a good time,” she said. “We wondered who would be attracted to it and we find that it’s people who just want to come out and socialize and meet their friends, particularly in the winter time, so I think it’s great.”

They kitchen offers soup and also featured is bread that is donated by Fresh and The Market Basket, a drink and dessert. This week, it was cherry cobbler. Good food, good fun, friends and music. What better way can there be to spend a Wednesday lunch?