Chatham Duo Creates 'Lending Library' For Community Soup Kitchen

CHATHAM, N.J. – Emma Dowling and Zoe Iorizzo are Chatham Girl Scouts. But today they are neighbors helping neighbors in need.

The duo came up with the idea of starting a “Lending Library” at the Community Soup Kitchen of Morristown, which serves up to 300 men, women and children on a daily basis.

Dowling and Iorizzo came up with the idea as a project for their Silver Award, and working with the Chatham Library received a donated cart and books for the cause.

The girls got to work and repaired the cart and painted it, organized the books, and solicited even more reading options.

The girls then delivered the Lending Library to the soup kitchen, where guests immediately began lining up to borrow a book.

Moreover, the Soup Kitchen will be able to start book clubs with its guests.

The Community Soup Kitchen in Morristown has been operating for more than 31 years and never missed a day. It serves breakfast and lunch and offers Free Farmers Markets, provides outreach workers in the dining room daily and mental health professionals, substance abuse counselors, veteran outreach, homeless teen outreach, job counselors, nursing care, and English as a Second Language classes.