FAIRMONT — Curt Moeckel has a vision and, on Dec. 29, he hopes to see the first fruits of that vision come into being.

The Martin County Historical Society has agreed to join hands with Moeckel’s brand new organization “The Shepherd’s In” by serving the Fairmont community with its new venture — starting a soup kitchen. As such, the Pioneer Parsonage is being provided at no cost for the organization’s initial events.

“We’re just getting started,” Moeckel said. “I’ve been looking for a location, and those are not so easy to come by with an equipped kitchen and all the health things you have to be concerned about. So instead of getting a permanent location for now, I went to see the Historical Society because they rent out their parsonage for events.

“I found out through the [state] Health Department that I can get a special event permit so I don’t have to have a necessarily qualified kitchen. We can do all the meal preparation in a church kitchen or other qualified kitchen. So knowing that, I went to the Historical Society and shared with them my desire to start a soup kitchen in Fairmont.

“[Historical Society director Lenny Tvedten] absolutely loved the idea and recognized the need, so he went to his board. All of the nine members agreed that, not only would they allow us to have events there but they would give them to us for free to help us get started.”

The first “soup kitchen” event is slated for Dec. 29.

Moeckel was able to share how he decided to put walking shoes on his desire and what the journey has been like so far.

“I’m a [Christian] believer created in the image of Christ, and what he did was help the poor and needy and to bring people the light,” he said. “So I see myself as a person who wants to reach out to the needy, not just needy in one way but needy in all ways. So that’s the desire that drives me, I just want to give back because Christ did for me what I couldn’t do for myself and I want to help other people have that same experience.

“So where are the people who need Jesus Christ, where do they go? They don’t go to church, probably, so I wanted to look outside the church.”

Moeckel says this venture is not his first foray into serving others.

“Several years ago, I was on the task force that was deciding whether or not we should have a food shelf in Fairmont,” he said. “While I was on that task force, we created Heaven’s Table Food Shelf. Back then, my motivation was, through the use of food, being able to make contact with people and then eventually share with them what’s really my desire.

“Once we got Heaven’s Table started, I figured it would be natural to follow up with a soup kitchen to reach out to the poor, homeless, and others in an extra way. That didn’t work out, and I’ve been off the board for a few years but I still had that lingering desire.

“One day I just decided I’m going to take some action. I was praying one morning and I was reminded of a verse which says that faith without action is dead. So I just decided I was going to start that day.”

From there Moeckel was able to find tables, chairs and many other items for a soup kitchen with the help of some good friends. The items, along with space to store them, were donated free of charge. In addition, Moeckel was able to form a board currently consisting of three people.

“So we’ve got a board, we’ve had several meetings now, and we’re applying for a 501(c)3 nonprofit status. The name ‘The Shepherd’s In’ carries the concept that the shepherd is in, and it’s a mission. It’s an outreach program.”

Moeckel also shared the program’s mission statement: “To provide nourishment for the body, food for the soul, words for eternal life, and hope for a future.”

“I see this as more of a hand up than a hand out,” he said. “A number of people go through tough times; it happens. I remember when I was young and married, and lost my job and had to get food stamps. It happens to everybody, and I wasn’t being bad, I was just in between jobs.”

Moeckel also said his vision extends beyond the goal of a soup kitchen.

“Eventually I think we’re going to be providing a full meal, and then three meals a day, five to seven days a week,” he said. “But the important thing is that I want to provide a place so they can come and have a place to just hang out. Maybe play cards or board games, or have a movie night with popcorn.”

Moeckel said the Dec. 29 event will be followed up by two more events slated for January and February 9. He also said they are looking for like-minded volunteers to help out. Those who would like to donate or see how they can help in other ways can contact Moeckel by email at theshepherdsin@gmail.com