For us, “soul” represents the unique essence each person contributes to their community, weaving a colorful tapestry of stories, talents, cultural experiences and more. In Greenwood, this tapestry comes alive through individuals whose captivating stories and deep connections to the region’s food, music and history define our town and make Greenwood an extraordinary place to visit. These remarkable individuals are our “Soul Mates.”
There’s a certain kind of energy that comes from people who believe deeply in what they’re doing. Spend a few minutes talking with Wes Prather, and that quality shows up fast. As Executive Director of GIM Ballas Family Community Kitchen, Wes spends his days doing far more than serving meals. He builds relationships, strengthens connections and ensures people feel seen. For Wes, Greenwood has become the perfect place for that work.
Meeting People Where They Are
The mission at GIM Ballas Family Community Kitchen is simple in theory but powerful in practice: feed people, love people and remove barriers wherever possible, and that means leading with compassion first.
“I’m into the idea that there’s no walls, there’s no limit on mercy, there’s no limit on love, there’s no limit on grace. Everybody’s the same to me,” Wes says. “The kitchen allows us to just love people as they are and where they are and how they are.”
That philosophy shapes everything happening inside the kitchen.
What started small has grown rapidly. A year ago, the organization was serving around 60 people. Today, they’re feeding more than 300 people every day, totaling roughly 1,500 meals each week.
And these aren’t just simple meals thrown together out of necessity.
“We try to love them through our food,” Wes says. “We want them to feel loved.”
And for the kitchen, that means beef and broccoli with fried rice as well as gumbo, ribs and large community barbecues. The goal isn’t just to provide food, it’s to create dignity, comfort and connection around the table.
Finding Community in Greenwood
Originally coming from larger, faster-paced environments like Jackson, Wes says Greenwood immediately felt different.
“It’s very close knit,” he says. “Everybody wants to help out. At the end of the day, everybody’s for each other.”
That spirit has shaped not only his work but also his family life.
Raising children in Greenwood, he says, comes with a slower pace and a stronger sense of community than many larger cities can offer. There’s room for people to know one another, support one another and show up when needed.
And thankfully, in Wes’ experience, people show up often.
When food supplies run low or needs increase unexpectedly, support arrives quickly, no questions asked. Churches, businesses and volunteers regularly step in without hesitation.
“All I have to do is make three or four phone calls and I’ve got enough to last us all summer when I didn’t have enough to last through the week. That really is the Greenwood difference,” he says.
Those moments have reinforced what makes Greenwood unique to him: people don’t just talk about community here. They practice it.
The Definition of Community, Every Day
Ask Wes what makes Greenwood stand apart, and his answer comes back to one word repeatedly: togetherness. Every day at the kitchen, he sees people from every background working side by side.
“We have pastors, youth pastors, CEOs, vice presidents, business people,” he says. “They’re coming and serving lunch to the people that sleep in the grass.”
For him, those moments matter.
“It really is a definition of a community,” he says. “Everybody really does help everybody.”
That’s especially meaningful because of the diversity of people involved, not just in volunteering but in simply existing together. Greenwood, he explains, brings together people from all walks of life. Different backgrounds. Different experiences. Different stories. Yet somehow, those differences create something stronger.
“There’s so many opportunities and people that love each other showing up in different ways,” he says. “That’s the exciting thing for me.”
Everyone coming together truly has an impact, as the kitchen has seen multiple instances of people in need completely turning their lives around.
Why Greenwood Leaves an Impression
For visitors, Greenwood’s appeal often starts with its music, food or history. But Wes believes what people remember most is the feeling they leave with.There’s a closeness here that’s hard to replicate. A willingness to step in when needed. A culture where relationships still matter.
“The soul of Greenwood is, at the end of the day, everybody really does love each other and they’re willing to help,” he says.
That spirit is visible inside the kitchen every day through volunteers carrying boxes, neighbors dropping off donations and community members sharing meals together. It’s visible downtown, inside churches, local businesses and neighborhoods. According to Wes, it’s exactly what makes Greenwood special.
The Heart and Soul of Greenwood
When asked what makes the heart and soul of Greenwood described in a single word, Wes doesn’t hesitate. Community. Not the idea of community, but the action behind it.
People showing up. Helping out. Feeding neighbors. Supporting organizations. Picking up the phone when someone calls. That’s what keeps Wes invested in Greenwood and what keeps the work moving forward. Because in a place where people consistently choose each other, it becomes easier to believe that small acts of kindness can turn into something much bigger.
And in Greenwood, that happens every day.
Visit this link to learn more about GIM Ballas Family Community Kitchen and donate today!
Experience a day in Greenwood like Wes!
