05/21/2026
We were blessed to have Shauna Hodge Vulin, Martha’s granddaughter, speak at the recent Martha’s Kitchen Volunteer Appreciation Party. What a beautiful tribute to her family and their legacy that is Martha’s Kitchen.
Here is what she shared……..
It truly means a lot to stand here today and see what Martha’s kitchen has become. Martha was my grandmother. My grandparents moved to Carolina Beach in 1966 and built a life and legacy here. My grandfather worked as a Carolina Beach police officer and later on became chief of police. My grandmother worked in the glove factory which actually was in this very building.
They lived in Carolina Beach for almost 20 years. My grandmother absolutely loved the ocean. One of her favorite things to do was to walk the beach and find sea glass.
My grandmother, Martha, had a vision to provide hot meals to those in need with no questions asked. She also wanted the experience to feel more like a restaurant than a soup kitchen.
She did not get to see this vision come to life. She passed away in 1999. My father , some of you may remember, Bob Hodge, opened Martha’s kitchen in honor of his mother in 2006. My dad was a big mamas boy.
Both of my parents put in a lot of hard work to get Marthas kitchen off the ground and because of your hard work this legacy thrives and carries on.
Seeing Marthas kitchen today , filled with people and purpose, is incredibly special. Thank you to everyone who has helped bring this vision to life and who continues to make my grandmothers spirit live on through this place.
Thank you Lisa for being an incredible leader and having the heart and vision to not only keep Marthas Kitchen going but also expanding Marthas Kitchen in so many different avenues and even over the bridge. My dad adored you.
Feeding people, gathering people and being a part of the heart of Carolina Beach- that’s exactly what she would have loved.
I know my parents and grandparents are looking down from above so proud and grateful.
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