Over a thousand meals in one year.
It's been a heck of a first year of operations for the Humboldt Soup Kitchen, which turned one on July 8.
In just that single year of operation, they have served 1,102 meals on Thursday nights to people in need.
Just eight people attended their first meal, offered on Thursday, July 8, at the Humboldt Seniors Hall, reported James Folster, the man who started the kitchen, and Collette Lessmeister of Family Services: Partners Building Hope (Partners), an organization which has supported the soup kitchen from day one.
For a time, because of the small number of people attending, the kitchen moved to a room at Partners. However, as it became more well known, they soon outgrew that location and moved back to the Seniors Hall.
Now, an average of about 30 people come out for supper every Thursday night.
"We get anywhere from 29 to 33 people every week," Folster said. They even had as many as 38 people coming for three weeks in a row.
Putting this soup kitchen together was something that happened very quickly in 2011.
Last July, after Folster had shared his idea for serving hot meals to those in need, once a week, it just took a few phone calls and everything was set up.
"That blew me away," said Folster.
The community support for this venture, right from the beginning, was "amazing, incredible," he said.
"We couldn't open without that kind of community support," Lessmeister said.
"And without the people coming, we'd be nowhere," Folster added.
This soup kitchen is an excellent example of how volunteerism is part of the social make-up of this region, Lessmeister said.
She was quick to give Folster credit for having the vision to start up the kitchen.
"It takes someone to step up to the plate and say, 'let's make it happen'," she said. "James did that because he was strong in his heart to make it happen."
Folster shoved aside the praise, saying that without the volunteers, those who have donated food, and the people who attend, "it's just an idea."
That idea has sparked something in the people of Humboldt. Many have been very supportive of the venture, right from the beginning.
"The Seniors Hall has been fantastic. Very accommodating," Folster said.
They have given the soup kitchen storage space in their facility and allowed them to move in a donated freezer.
The food served at the soup kitchen every week is donated - by local restaurants, churches, and different organizations.
Some churches in the area have even committed to donating the entire meal once every month, and local restaurants have provided food right from the start.
It's not just soup at the soup kitchen, the two noted. They are full-scale meals.
"Out of all the meals, only six to eight have been soup and sandwiches," Folster said. "The rest have been full meals, right down to a complete turkey dinner sometimes."
If they happen to run out of food before a Thursday meal, he added, all it takes is a few phone calls and the meal is provided.
"They are full, beautiful meals," he said.
Groups have also donated things like cakes and cookies, and other foods for desserts. And businesses supply fresh fruits and other items.
People have even donated fresh garden produce.
"It's a phenomenal example of community, the support James has gotten from all over the place," said Lessmeister.
About eight volunteers come out to work at the kitchen every week, helping serve and clean up.
Many of those people come faithfully, Folster said. "They come and work every week."
Local groups also come out to help - from adults to school-age kids.
"It's just a community," said Folster.
And the help is not just coming in from the City of Humboldt, he stressed. Many in the surrounding area contribute to the soup kitchen here as well.
Those attending the soup kitchen are mostly from the city of Humboldt, Folster said.
"But some come in, from time to time, from other places," he said.
The word has definitely gotten around about Humboldt's soup kitchen, he added.
"Times are getting tough. I'm sure more people are feeling the pinch," he said.
The soup kitchen is there so that people can count on at least one hot meal every week, said Lessmeister.
"The food bank can only give so much," she said.
But while some are coming to the kitchen because they are in need of a meal, some are coming because they need company, and want to make new friends.
Because of this aspect, the kitchen has developed into something more than filling your belly.
"It's very much a social event," said Lessmeister. "That's how James has described it. The dynamics have changed."
At first, she said, everyone sat and ate separately.
They would eat and go, Folster said.
Now, all those who are there come together to eat and mingle, she said.
"They stay around right to the end and visit," Folster noted.
"It's not just a soup kitchen anymore. It's more a social gathering... for those who are lonely and isolated," Folster said. "It's an opportunity for people to get together."
In addition to eating and talking, there's also occasionally entertainment.
One of the guys who comes every week has taken to entertaining the children who are there with their parents.
"He's just a big kid himself. He just loves it," Folster said.
Parishioners from Westminster United Church have also volunteered to come down and do arts and crafts at the soup kitchen, for both adults and for kids.
There are also toys there, donated by Partners and the Humboldt Kinettes, for the kids to play with.
For the adults, there has been other entertainment.
"We've had open mic nights, where people sing or recite poetry," Folster said. "It's really taken on a life of its own, actually."
When Folster had the idea to start this kitchen just over a year ago, he didn't think it would grow into what it's become.
"I didn't expect it to get so big," he said. "I'm sure glad (people are) coming," he added.
The friendships made at the soup kitchen are actually extending out into the community, Lessmeister noted.
"They've gotten to know each other there... It's interesting to see... them together out in the community."
They are forming real friendships, she agreed.
The soup kitchen has definitely plugged them into the community, Folster and Lessmeister feel.
Seeing the success of the kitchen, "it feels good, I must admit," Folster laughed.
"He just beams," Lessmeister said of Folster, especially when they talk about the success stories of those who have attended the kitchen.
One of the attendees, a man, lived alone, had some mental health issues and was feeling very isolated, Lessmeister said.
"He's really come alive now," she said. "There's a total difference in him. His self esteem is up... from coming and socializing."
They only see the need for a soup kitchen increasing in the future.
"As the city grows, it will grow," Folster said.
