Ginger “Mama” Passarelli Senecal got teary-eyed as the Soup Ladies’ new mobile kitchen pulled into the parking lot of her Black Diamond restaurant Tuesday.

Senecal described the customized kitchen, complete with a nice paint job, as “beautiful.”

With an arm around Senecal’s shoulders, Reagan Dunn – the King County Councilman who was instrumental in helping secure the kitchen for the Soup Ladies – lavished her with praise.

“It’s even more beautiful with you serving soup in it,” Dunn said. “It’s an honor and a privilege to help an organization so worthy.”

King County provided $41,250 to the Soup Ladies to help with their always on-call regional disaster response efforts. Dunn presented a ceremonial check to the non-profit organization founded by Senecal.

The Soup Ladies also received a one-ton truck that will be used to tow the mobile kitchen, which was surplused by the county earlier this year. Dunn said they were able to obtain that truck for $5,000.

The new equipment will enable the Soup Ladies to more efficiently serve food to rescue workers, victims and first responders during emergencies and natural disasters.

“I’m overwhelmed with the community support,” Senecal said.

Dunn and his wife, Paige, first discovered the Soup Ladies when they ate at Mama Passarelli’s Dinner House, not long after they moved to the Maple Valley area two years ago.

“By the time I left that dinner, I was totally sold on the cause, on the mission,” Dunn said. “Paige and I talked about what we could do to help.”

While Dunn tracked down money in the county’s budget, other local community organizations found ways to help. Rotarians, among others, were happy to pitch in.

“We scrambled around to figure out how to get (cash) together and we raised $27,000,” said Shane Davies, president of the Maple Valley Rotary. “We’re proud to be a part of this.”

For years, the Soup Ladies – even before they formally organized – have travelled throughout the country to serve. They helped victims and emergency crews who responded to the Gulf Coast region ravaged by hurricanes Katrina, Gustov and Ike.

They also assisted those involved in fighting wildfires in California last fall. The Soup Ladies have been on the scene of many local disasters, such as the 2006 windstorm and last year’s flooding in the Olympia area.

The mobile kitchen, which stands 8-by-24 feet, comes with a generator, holding tanks and a propane cooking system.

Having the mobile kitchen will allow the Soup Ladies to streamline their operations and become more self-contained and self-sufficient.

“I can’t even begin to thank you guys enough,” Senecal said. “I can’t tell you what an honor it is to serve you guys who serve.

“It’s such a blessing to get this (mobile kitchen).”

Reporter Kris Hill can be reached at 425-432-1435, ext. 5054, or khill@reporternewspapers.com