'God's Chuckwagon' back in action with help from community group

May 23—SUNBURY — A mobile soup kitchen that serves free meals to those in need is back in action with the help of Leadership Susquehanna Valley class of 2024.

Pastor Jim and Janet Bowers ran God's Chuckwagon for more than a decade, but announced they would be shutting it down last May.

Six months later, the Bowers said they felt a calling to start things back up again. When Kendrah Beiler, of the Leadership Susquehanna Valley Class of 2024, heard about the wagon and its mission, she wanted to get involved, she said.

The class made God's Chuckwagon their community service project and have created a website and expanded donor reach via online access, according to Beiler.

Other community organizations also got involved. Jon Reeder, who teaches collision repair at SUN Area Technical Institute, said his student worked to replace the windshield frame on the vehicle and to remove the decals.

New decals were created by Cindy Potoeski, of Decal Dynasty in Millmont. Beiler said God's Chuckwagon looks "better than ever."

Jim Bowers said he was grateful for Leadership Susquehanna Valley and the community members who came together to support the wagon's mission.

"They're amazing," he said. "They've put together stuff we never would've thought of. It's been a great partnership."

The wagon's contributions to the community will continue to be tremendous, according to Beiler.

God's Chuckwagon will be in Sunbury on Mondays and Shamokin and Trevorton on Tuesdays, the pastor said. Schedule updates can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GodsChuckwagon/.

Jim Bowers said he hopes the rededication will inspire more volunteers to help out either by donating or volunteering their time.

More information on God's Chuckwagon can be found on their website at https://www.godschuckwagon.org/.