When Clyde Corbin began managing a downtown soup kitchen three decades ago, he set a personal goal to stick with the job until he had served 2 million meals to people who are homeless. The retired Vietnam Vet is now closing in on 3 million meals and has no plans to call it quits. “I love what I do here and I still find joy in this job each and every day,” said the 71-year-old Corbin, who overseas the Crossroads Community Ministries kitchen on Courtland Avenue. “The way I look at it, the more I give our guests, the more that God seems to give me.”
Q: What do you love about your job?
A: Every day I find something that keeps me going. I have so many people who come up after they get their food and say, "Clyde, I love you and appreciate you." That will keep me going. The volunteers keep me going. I have some volunteers who were here when I got here and continue to come. A couple of men who are 92 years old drive themselves here and volunteer. They keep me going.
Q: How did you get your job in the first place?
A: I was in the Army for 22 years and during my military career, I worked in food service. After I retired, I moved to Atlanta and got my bachelor's degree but I wanted to get back into food service. I applied for the job and they gave it to me.
Q: What kind of things do you serve?
A: All different types of casseroles, a whole lot of grilled cheese and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. We try to give our guests at least one meat sandwich. We also serve soup made fresh every day and our guests can have all the soup they want.
Q: Do you have special recipes?
A: The soups are based on recipes that I used in the Army. We make 40 gallons of soup a day. When the weather gets cold, we make an additional 10 to 15 gallons.
Q: Do you ever discouraged when you see so many people lining up for food?
A: I don't get discouraged. As long as I am feeding people, I have to leave the rest to God. I do talk to our guests and tell them, "I know you want a better life and just because you are in this situation now, you don't have to stay in it for the rest of your life." We do feed a lot of children. When I see those kids, that really bothers me. We try to take care of them as best we can.
Q: Do you have stories of people whose lives have changed for the better?
A: I have what I call a cook program where I recruit several guests to work with me in the kitchen for two years and then I help them find a job. I have success stories of people who have come through the program. I had one man who now drives a HERO truck for the state. I had another guy who now has a job and has bought a house. They stay in touch with me to let me know how they are doing. And they done good.
Q: Most people don’t know anyone who is homeless. What would you tell them about the people who come through the door?
A: You see the homeless population on TV, but you have to come down and see for them yourself. A lot of these people — it's not their fault that they are in their situation. Some get their meal and then go off to work. They just don't make enough to sustain themselves.
Q: Is there anything you need?
A: A lot of people drive by this place on their way to work and see the people lining up and want to know what they can do to help. I tell them that we need gloves and caps and socks and coats, especially this time of year.
Q: Can you see yourself doing this job when you are 92?
A: I don't know about that, but right now I have no intention of quitting.
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