MILTON — And to think, it all started by taking bowls of her mother’s soup to a neighbor.
Fast-forward to last weekend, when Jusst Sooup, a compassionate ministry championed by the Rev. Dale Dunning, celebrated its 25th anniversary.
Sunday was the official date, and on Saturday, a festive and free celebration took place at Jusst Sooup Ranch, a project built by Schell Brothers in 2011 and featured on ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” TV show at the time.
Saturday’s menu featured jerk chicken, grilled burgers, hot dogs, other fixings and, of course, soup.
Betty Trammell, the Rev. Dunning’s childhood friend and classmate, recalled the early days.
“I remember when we were little, Dale’s mother had us take soup to some lady in the neighborhood. And we went running, taking the soup to her. After that, it started. Her mother started it, so Dale just continued,” Ms. Trammell said. “I think it is a wonderful thing that she does. God has really blessed her.”
Over the 25 years, the Rev. Dunning and her helpers have far surpassed more than 1 million bowls, which are served at Jusst Sooup’s church and other venues in the area. In addition to the ranch in Cool Spring, she has developed two dozen soup kitchens across the state, providing food for many of them.
“It’s just wonderful. I am so grateful,” the Rev. Dunning said Saturday. “God bless you and thank you.”
During the festivities, several attendees recalled the eventful taping of the “Extreme Makeover” segment, which aired as a Thanksgiving special that year.
“There was an earthquake, hurricane and tornado, all during the build,” said Al Daniel, a construction operations specialist for Schell Brothers.
Ms. Trammell remembered, “I was here to help build it, when ‘Extreme Makeover’ came. ... I was under the tent, and we felt this rumble, but nobody knew what it was. Then, we found out it was an earthquake.”
Similarly, Jusst Sooup’s journey has not been without obstacles. With plans to serve soup at the new ranch in 2011, the Rev. Dunning met some resistance from neighbors. And the Sussex County Board of Adjustment rejected her special use exception request to allow people to be served there.
Ultimately, though, the greenlight to spoon out sustenance came under the umbrella of a church, an allowance in AR-1 zoning.
“After ‘Extreme Makeover,’ you all know the story. I wasn’t able to use my kitchen for three years. There were those that didn’t agree with the gift and the calling that I had been given. There were times we’d get phone calls; they’d tell you where you could go and tell you what you could kiss. There were all kinds of ugly things,” the Rev. Dunning said.
She added that her deep faith in God prevailed, though.
“God said it was going to be OK. Then, they found out what I could do to open it. ... I think the worst part of it all is when people are so mean and nasty and hateful.”
Saturday also marked the unofficial debut of Jusst Sooup All-Purpose Blend, a seasoning “that shines in soup.” The spice is marketed by Long Neck-based Shore Smoke Seasonings and is priced at $10. Proceeds support Jusst Sooup.
One hundred containers were sold within several hours at the gathering, and the blend should appear at retailers in two to three months.
The celebration was punctuated by proclamations to the Rev. Dunning from Sussex County Council and the state of Delaware.
Also on hand was Joseph Johnson, a local producer whose September Tenth Films is creating a movie about the advocate, her family and Jusst Sooup, with production planned for spring 2025.
“The miracles just keep coming,” the Rev. Dunning said. “So, this time next year, maybe October or November, we’ll have a movie.”
Meanwhile, Schell Brothers has remained onboard with the organization. Its staffers performed yardwork, power washing and garden upkeep prior to the anniversary event.
“It’s a combination, I believe, of the company’s appreciation of everything that Dale does, but also, as a local builder and local people, I’m happy to help Dale as a citizen of Sussex County, which sees all of the good that she does every day,” Mr. Daniel said.
“She sees the good in every single person and brings that out. And you can’t help but want to support that and be a part of it.”
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