Today we’d like to introduce you to Martha Bennett.
Hi Martha , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
MY name is Martha Littlefield Bennett I am the daughter of the late Russell Ray “Red” Littlefield and my mother Doris Freeman Bendt. Our family was large with 7 children, all boys but me. We moved around alot due to my father’s job. We moved from Miami, Florida in 1983 to Greer, South Carolina and never looked back.
I started in the food business at age 18. Our family had a grocery store in the community that we would do short orders out of. Later my mother and I opened our own catering business and café that lasted 35 years. During that time I worked a full time job at Swift Transportation while feeding folks at nights and weekends with our catering/café company.
We always gave left overs to Greer Soup Kitchen and while catering an event for the ministry. My mother was approached by the Director, she asked if mother knew anyone that would be interested in running the kitchen when she left. My mother offered me up like a prized goat. I have been the Executive Director for the past 17 years.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Nothing is ever smooth when you are running a non-profit. Obstacles of volunteers, funding, repairs and just the everyday experiences with the less fortunate. We don’t receive any government funding, our funds are generated by the wonderful people of Greer and the Upstate. We have so many that understand what we are doing and continue to give to the ministry. Volunteers are usually from a pool of retired citizens of Greer and areas around us. That generation really understands the importance of volunteering. The younger generation is so busy with working, children and other obligations that I fear when the time comes we won’t have anyone to replace those we have now.
Struggles sometimes have come from personal issues. I am a 10 year breast cancer survivor. During that time I lost my husband to congestive heart failure. I have 4 grandsons under the age of 6, for which I keep daily. Also my mother that is now 84 lives with me. So life can be busy.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I would say I am most known for my catering company and my years spent at the Greer Soup Kitchen. Some forget I come from a long line of cooks and have been cooking since I was 5 years old. I love that I can talk to anyone. It must be because I come from a family of 7 children (all boys but ME) WE are loud and expressive and talk with our hands. Traits that help me at the kitchen. Very rarely do I meet a stranger and if so we are parting with hugs and phone numbers.
At Winthrop I studied Interior Design with a minor in Art History. So I love decorating and we try to make our dining hall at the soup beautiful for each season.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Luck is a tricky word. I like to use Fate. God puts us where HE needs us and by doing that we grow in HIM and with HIM. I wondered a great deal when I took the role at the soup, what can I do?? All I have ever really loved was design and food. What this opportunity has given me is a clearer knowledge of how bad our world can be, but there is ALWAYS HOPE. So I would say the HOPE and the FAITH I have in God has grown since taking this role.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.greersoupkitchen.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BBTviE2Q9/
