The Humboldt Soup Kitchen celebrated its 5th year on July 30 with a meal and a cake. It’s come a long way from its humble beginnings.
“We … started with eight people and a crockpot and a microwave. It grew right up to 60 people in five years,” said James Folster, co-ordinator for the soup kitchen.
The soup kitchen started when Folster developed tremors in his hands and could no longer work at his job. He started coming up with ideas for things to do, and settled on the soup kitchen.
“The Lord prompted me to go and do this. It was like he led me to a different line of life altogether, because this disability – so-called disability – led me into a better life, I think,” he said. “And as a result of the soup kitchen starting, I met my wife, Hilda.”
He approached PARTNERS Family Services and nothing happened at first. He went to them again, and this time the idea got off the ground.
“There was no real kitchen,” Folster said. “Like I said, we had a crockpot and a microwave. We set up a little table in the back alley and washed dishes in the back alley.”
They eventually migrated to the Community Gathering Centre, where they host meals every Thursday in addition to special events like Christmas, Easter, New Year’s, and more. The seniors there handle any donations and financial business to do with the soup kitchen.
“One person hungry is too many,” Folster said. “For me, it’s kind of been there, done that. I know what it’s like to be hungry, I know what it’s like to be lonely.”
Folster and assistant co-ordinator Linda Jurgens would like to see more participation from seniors in the community who are lonely and want company.
People mostly come from Humboldt, but people have come from around the region as well. Support comes from all over, including organizations in Englefeld, St. Gregor, Quill Lake, Watson, and more. In Humboldt, there is support from businesses such as Extra Foods, Kal-Tire, and Sobeys, as well as various church groups.
The soup kitchen has also expanded to include other events such as open mic nights that showcase singing, poetry, and dancing. To Folster, it’s important to not only feed people who need it, but to provide that social aspect as well.
“There are people that come here that not only need a meal, but some people come because they need company more than they need a meal,” he said.
The soup kitchen isn’t done growing. There’s now a board of directors, since it became too big for Folster and Jurgens.
“We’re in the process of becoming our own entity,” Jurgens said.
The soup kitchen is a labour of love for the all-volunteer force that runs it, and it’s rewarding for all involved.
“(The most rewarding part is) just to feed a child,” said Hilda Folster. “See a happy child with a full belly, or a poor old fella that has no wife and whatever and comes and has a meal and goes out with a full belly and gets to take some home.”
“It was the first or second year we were here at the seniors hall and I walked by a table and there was a lady sitting there … and she said ‘Oh, this is so good. All I had the day before yesterday was a hot dog and a piece of watermelon,’’ Folster said. “Stuff like that is my reasoning. Help people who need help.”
The dream from the beginning was to have their own building in order to provide more meals, though that’s not financially feasible right now. They would also like to eventually have a coffee nook, where people can come whenever they wanted to have coffee and chat.
“It’s turned into its own identity now,” Folster said. “People who come here, they used to just sit down and have their meal and pretty much go home. Now, they’ve made friendships, they’ve met each other, they stay right to the end. A lot of people come to volunteer and make the meals and clean up after. It’s like a big family now.”
The soup kitchen can always use donations of food, clothing, toiletries, razors, and more. To get in touch about donating, contact Linda Jurgens at [email protected].
