The Midland Soup Kitchen, an organization that has fed the hungry for 37 years, is getting some assistance of its own this holiday season.
Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop has designated the proceeds from sales of a special pie flavor, Chocolate Chess, to go to Midland Soup Kitchen, which provides free home-cooked meals for those in need.
Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop, located at 4400 North Midland Drive, designated the Chocolate Chess as part of its “Pie it Forward” project to benefit the community. For all of November, customers who purchase the Chocolate Chess pie will be helping Midland Soup Kitchen continue its mission of service, especially during a pandemic when so many have been affected.
Midland Soup Kitchen began in 1984 when Mariano Rendon Sr. and Mary Rendon opened the kitchen out of their home and served up to 100 people a day. Now deceased, Mariano’s words on the company website explain his motivation. “I always wanted to help people but I didn’t have money or a way,” Mariano said. “The Lord came to me in a dream and told me to quit work to start Midland Soup Kitchen.”
Businesses like Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop are a blessing these days, but initially, the only comfort was knowing the Rendons were helping others. “When we’re there with the people, it’s a beautiful feeling that you can do something for someone else,” Mary Rendon was quoted as saying.
The founders’ daughter, Nancy Ivy, and her husband, Jason Ivy, operate the Midland Soup Kitchen these days, continuing to feed those in need with the help of businesses like Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop.
According to the website, the Chocolate Chess pie is somewhere between a fudge pie and a chocolate version of their Southern Custard pie, and "It's not our prettiest pie, but definitely one of our tastiest!"