MIDLAND, Texas — Nearly 38,000 Midland voters casted their ballots Tuesday in favor of awarding the Midland Soup Kitchen Ministry (MSK) almost four acres of land right behind its building. That meant Proposition A passed on the Nov. 5 ballot.
MSK, which provides crucial services to the community, is excited to put this land to meaningful use.
“With 37,000 votes, we're just so excited that Midland has made their voices heard in support of us,” said Nathen Ivy, MSK's administrator. “To have this much community support is incredibly humbling.”
About 89% of Midland voters supported granting the soup kitchen access to the land, which not only connects to their current property but also holds a personal history for the ministry’s founding family.
“My grandfather, the founder, originally owned this land but had to give it back to the city when he could no longer maintain it,” Ivy shared. “This vote is a transfer of power back into our hands, allowing us to expand our mission in a way that fits Midland’s growth since the 1980s.”
Although the exact plans for the 3.7 acres are not finalized, the ministry has immediate goals to make the property safer for the hundreds of community members they serve daily.
“Before last night, we didn’t even own our parking lot,” Ivy said. “First and foremost, we want to ensure that our current space is safe and well-developed for the people we serve, and then we’ll consider the bigger picture of expansion.”
As Midland continues its own efforts to grow and revitalize, MSK hopes to play a central role in community transformation.
“If you’re familiar with the property, you know it’s an eyesore," Ivy said. "We want to change that and make it a beneficial part of this side of town. Our mission is to create a welcoming space that reflects the best of Midland’s spirit.”
The ministry is considering ways to use the additional space to support its expanding outreach programs. From Vacation Bible School to hygiene and back-to-school drives, the extra land will provide much-needed storage and preparation space for these large-scale efforts.
“With the number of people we see daily, we’ve grown significantly since last year,” Ivy said. “Our holiday meals alone bring in thousands each year, and now we’ll have a parking space that can accommodate our visitors without crowding the streets. Our focus remains on creating a safe, welcoming environment for everyone who comes through our doors.”
While there isn’t a set timeline for development, the ministry is confident that with this new land, they’ll be able to serve even more people in Midland.
“We’re eager to see how this land can transform lives,” Ivy said. “We’re so thankful to everyone who made this possible.”