Hometown Hero – Sister Jean’s Legacy

Hometown Hero – Sister Jean’s Legacy

By Krystle J Bailey

If you ask someone what “legacy” means to them, more often than not the response will usually reference what they leave behind after they’re gone. Our hometown hero this edition left a legacy that continues to serve the community of Atlantic City years after she’s gone home to be with the God she served on earth. Jean Webster, also referred to as “Sister Jean” or “Saint Jean” began her ministry in 1982 when she felt led by her faith in God to feed those in need.

Reverand John Scotland and cook Joanne Dejean

Sister Jean was was a civil rights hero as the first African American sous chef and leader in the Atlantic City community. She broke barriers for African Americans and women in the culinary world and paved the way for generations that would come after her. Due to health issues, Jean retired early at the age of 53. After her retirement, Jean connected the dots between a need for the community around her and a need in her heart – she wasn’t done cooking. What began with one man and one meal, grew to become lines of individuals waiting outside of her Indiana Avenue apartment everyday for lunch.

In the early 1990’s, Rev. John Scotland found out about Sister Jean through a fellow pastor who was bringing food to donate to what had become known as “Sister Jean’s Kitchen.” They went to her apartment and from that point on, Rev. John Scotland never left her side. Scotland recalls the first day he walked into the Indiana Ave apartment, “A man in front of me said to me, ‘take off your shoes, you’re stepping on holy ground’ and I knew I was somewhere special.”

Scotland soon joined forces with Sister Jean helping her to become an official non profit organization that would provide resources, insurance, and the tools needed to continue to grow and feed more and more Atlantic City residents. In 1995, Jean Webster’s Kitchen became a 501c3 and in 1997 after two years of renovations, they moved into The First Presbyterian Church on Pennsylvania Ave. They have been serving hundreds of meals from that location since.

Sadly, Jean Webster passed away in 2011 but with the help of volunteers, a handful of employees, and the love of the community Sister Jean’s Kitchen has continued to carry on her legacy. Rev. John Scotland continues to lead the pack as an honor on behalf of Jean Webster.

David Bond, an employee for the kitchen, knew Jean personally and describes her as an angel. “Sister jean means a lot to me. She started this out of her house. She opened her home to people she didn’t know. The food was so good that when we were younger, we would go just to get a taste even when mom cooked. She showed so much love to everybody who came into her home. She was the grandma we all wanted.” says Bond.

The Presbyterian Church lacks walk in refrigerators and freezers, which poses a challenge but with the help of The Community Foodbank of NJ Southern Branch, deliveries are made every day to Jean Webster’s Kitchen. Hundreds of meals continue to be served every month and the folks at Sister Jean’s do not plan on slowing down anytime soon.

Those interested in volunteering at Sister Jean’s Kitchen are invited to call Ms. T at 609-348-4300. While many feel the urge to volunteer on Thanksgiving and holidays, there is a demand for volunteers on days surrounding the holidays. If you’re considering volunteering and serving food at Sister Jean’s, give them a call and find which day they could use an extra set of hands.

“The food is plated and served to each guest at their table just as if they were in Jean’s house. That is just the way she liked it.” – Rev. John Scotland

More information and donations can be made at www.JeanWebstersKitchen.com.

Krystle J Bailey is a multimedia journalist, freelance writer, and self published author.

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