Heaven's Kitchen-Marion will serve up dinners to go on Thursday

MARION - As events have ground to a halt and restaurants have been ordered to eliminate dine-in service, Jeff Diederich was determined that Heaven's Kitchen-Marion would continue to serve the people that have become familiar faces over the past six months.

Nearly 24 hours before Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker ordered all restaurants and bars in the state closed to inside dining as of the close of business Monday until at least March 30, in a sweeping measure aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus, Diederich already had a plan in place that he posted to the Heaven's Kitchen-Marion Facebook page.

"While we recognize the universal concern related to the Coronavirus we must recognize that many would be left without basic needs if we terminate our services," the post read.

"I'm just not going to give it up," said a determined Diederich, of the program he brought to Marion in August 2019.

Diederich's plan meets the governor's orders.

"We will offer to-go meals only," said Diederich. "There will be no on-site dining, eliminating a public gathering."

The hours are expanded from 4:30 to 6:30. Diederich is asking his guests to spread out their pick up times go avoid any crowding or congregating.

"We will have plenty of food so there's no rush," he said.

Heaven's Kitchen-Marion operates out of the Marion Ministerial Alliance at 103 E. Calvert St.