Background History of Sonshine Kitchen and SCM
In 1983 the Sonshine Kitchen was started by the members of Concordia Evangelical Lutheran Church McKeesport PA, in response to the collapse of the steel industry in that area. Sonshine Kitchen reaches out to those who are sometimes unable to help themselves, not only feeding stomachs, but also feeding souls.

January 7, 2001 Concordia's worshiping community held its last service. Even though the members had joined other congregations, it was decided to continue on with this ministry. Along with the continued support of sister congregations, individuals, businesses, schools, and benevolent organizations, January 8, 2001 marked a new beginning for the Sonshine Kitchen, as it became a lay led ministry. In July 2001, it was incorporated as Associated Lutheran Missions, Inc. In December 2001, the former members of Concordia gathered together and turned the building, property and assets over to the newly formed entity, realizing that Concordia's ministry was very much alive and the legacy would live on.

Since (Since June 2001), we have been holding "Devotion Time" in the sanctuary at 3:30pm every Monday for those who come to eat dinner. We offer hymns, bible readings, prayers and sharing with each other of what Christ has done for us. It is such a joy having volunteers and those who come to eat, sit side by side and Praise the Lord. We average between 20-40 people and the "Our first Candlelight Devotion" that we held before Christmas in 2001, we had over 100 people.

Every Monday at 4:00 pm, we offer a hot meal to approximately (80-100) people. Free clothing is offered during that time also. We serve the homeless, unemployed, working poor and whoever else walks through our doors. We do not turn anyone away. Over 25% of those served are children. 

Special holiday meals are served the Monday before Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Toys are also distributed during the Christmas Meal made available through a toy drive by a local middle school. The attendance at these special meals is much higher, often 120 plus people. Over (180) people attended the Christmas meal in 2008. (We no longer distribute toys at the Christmas Meal that is done at the Christmas party at First Free. Note: To be able to offer more to our community, we have expanded on our partnerships.  Because of a partnership with a local church in McKeesport, we hold our Annual Children's Christmas Party in mid-December. It is a fun night for the whole family. In 2008 we had 232 people attend and 147 of them were children. The whole family was treated to a sit down meal, games, music and skits. No one left empty handed. Due to the generosity of 3 different churches, the children were provided with Christmas gifts.

Around 200 food bags are passed out each month. Emergency food bags are also offered. We have had up to 300 bags passed out during the holidays. We have over 800 families registered for our food bag program. The families represent thousands of people.

In 2008, the "Sonshine Kitchen" has now become "Sonshine Community Ministries." The "kitchen" aspect is still a strong focus of SCM, but there are now many different ministries going on weekly. During school we have our Hang 5! program, we also lead a 12 Step Recovery program, we still hand out monthly food bags, and many more activities now represent who we are as an organization.

So many of the people we serve are the lonely, hurting lost that call out to us for hope. We do show them that there is hope though Jesus Christ. God has greatly blessed us as we continue on with our service to the community and reaching out in His name. The only way that we can continue and grow is from the continued support from generous congregations, businesses, organizations and individuals  though prayers, volunteering, clothing and food drives and financial support. The youth of our churches are also coming to serve and help make the food bags. Even some of the people that we serve are now helping serve others. We are all taking what we were taught in the bible and putting it into practice. We are going out to make disciples.