When Steve Greenough isn’t around, the Loaves and Fishes of Lowndes County soup kitchen is bound to run out of something.
At least, that’s what Exchange Club of Columbus member and Loaves and Fishes President Lee Burdine said Thursday, to explain how much the soup kitchen has come to depend on Greenough before presenting him with the club’s 53rd Book of Golden Deeds Award.
“When he is out of town for a week, there is going to be a crisis at Loaves and Fishes,” Burdine joked.
Each year since 1972, Exchange Club has honored someone in the community with the award, with winners nominated through an application process and selected by a club committee. Burdine said Greenough is a “kind, loving” and “very aware” recipient of the award.
“Steve exemplifies exceptional qualities of service and dedication. He has a heart that knows two speeds: almost full speed and full speed,” Burdine said.
Greenough is originally from Bolton, England, though he moved to Columbus in 1993. While he and his late wife Hazel moved away to Arizona, after her passing, Greenough returned to the city in 2019 and reconnected with Annunciation Catholic Church.
Ever since, Burdine said, Greenough has become a crucial volunteer with lots of local ministries, including becoming a “pillar” at Loaves and Fishes. He currently serves as the organization’s executive vice president.
But in some ways, the soup kitchen also gave back to Greenough. Burdine shared how Greenough met his now-wife Geraldine volunteering with Loaves and Fishes.
“Thankfully, there are new romance (methods), like sharing chicken spaghetti recipes or how to feed 300 people on $50,” Burdine said. “Those kinds of things that they were able to talk about. But however God managed to bring them together, we celebrate their marriage, and they are a very supporting serving duo that serves our neighbors and our community.”
With Greenough on the Loaves and Fishes team, Burdine said, the soup kitchen has grown tremendously “in every direction we have.”
“COVID came along and changed the whole world of Loaves and Fishes,” Burdine said. “But with that, a huge need showed up and we … suddenly needed to be able to serve 300, 350 meals a day. And with Steve’s help, helping with bringing new groups in, resourcing additional food and additional items … we have managed to go to six days a week.”
Currently, Loaves and Fishes serves about 83,000 meals per year, Greenough said, though he would like to increase that number to 90,000 by opening the soup kitchen seven days a week with help from local churches and other organizations.
Besides his service with Loaves and Fishes, Burdine also acknowledged Greenough’s service with Annunciation Catholic’s Church’s St. Vincent De Paul lay member ministry. The group addresses a variety of needs brought to the church by community members.
“This group serves the needy that can often slip through our local safety programs,” Burdine said. “They distribute food, clothing, children and infant supplies, medicine, utility help. Really, if there’s a need, I think St. Vincent de Paul fills it. And once Steve becomes aware of it, it tends to happen pretty quickly.”
Just on Thursday morning, Greenough delivered furniture to three different families in need, he said, after he had gotten home from a long trip. Two of those situations, he said, involved delivering beds to those that needed them.
“It’s a typical Steve thing,” Burdine said.
Burdine also acknowledged Greenough’s role in helping to establish a new ministry called Friendly City Gardens, where volunteers grow fresh vegetables and deliver them to those in need in the community, and in helping to establish Golden Triangle Theatre.
Greenough said he was humbled to be recognized for the things that he does, but he acknowledged repeatedly that nothing he does, he does alone.
“It’s not a race to the top,” Greenough said. “It’s a race to the bottom … to do as much as we all can. We can encourage more people to be involved and change something.
“It’s not just me,” Greenough added. “It’s other people like me.”
When asked about what motivates him to serve the community as he does, Greenough simply said, “Why not?”
“Seriously, why not?” he asked. “I mean, if there’s a need, why not fill it?”
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 47 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
