MIDLAND, Texas — On Aug. 13, Midland City Council called a special election for voters to determine whether the city should convey nearly 3.7 acres of "unimproved" Hidalgo Park lands to the Midland Soup Kitchen Ministry to expand its operations.
The portion of land sits north of the ministry, along Orchard Lane and North Carver St.
"I want to highlight it's the unimproved portion of Hidalgo Park; there is a portion on the West side of the park where you have things such as a baseball field and a playground," said Elizabeth Triggs, the city's planning and development officer. "All of that would remain with the park, it's only the portion to the north of the soup kitchen that would be conveyed if voters approved it."
The Midland Soup Kitchen Ministry provides an average of 150 home cooked meals daily, shares the gospel and holiday meal and gifts during Christmas. The ministry also provides a vacation bible school, resources for shelter, education and more.
According to Nathan Ivy, an administrator with the Midland Soup Kitchen Ministry, the nonprofit organization needs more space to fulfill the growing needs of Midland it has seen, especially over the summer.
"It is something that we know that as Midland grows, we're going to have to grow with it and the needs of Midland are going to need some more attention," Ivy said. "We're ready to tackle those head on and get to a place where we have the necessary sources, room and space to meet those needs."
Currently, the ministry is awaiting the final decision before it comes up with ideas on how it will best put the land to use.
"We are so excited to get this crucial moment in the time of our ministry," Ivy said. "We're trusting the Lord that he's going to send in the votes and that we're going to be able to continue to grow and expand out resources to what we and the people of Midland may need on a growing day-to day basis."
Voters in Midland can expect to see this on the ballot on Nov. 5.