Determined Citizen Feeds the Hungry and Unites the Community
If you think you can't make a difference, think again.
About 6 years ago Fred Charland noticed that while shelter was being provided for a few homeless men in our community, they didn't have food.
The food bank offered a little help, but certainly didn't get them through the month.
He determined to do something about it.
He was, and is, the Director of the Senior Center in our small community.
So he did have access to a building and a kitchen.
He just needed some help gathering enough food to make a difference.
One thing he didn't have at his disposal was an abundance of money.
It took 3 years, but he put together a group of 7 different social groups, church groups, and businesses who were willing to take turns providing soup and sandwiches each Monday.
Now the Soup Kitchen is in its 3rd year of operation, and is a popular spot for Monday lunch.
Every Monday at 11 a.
m.
one of 14 different businesses or organizations serves up a lunch of soups, sandwiches, salads, and desserts.
And it has brought the community together in beautiful ways.
Business people and citizens who can pay donate to support the cause, while those who are struggling eat for free.
Best of all for those who might feel embarrassed by tight finances, it's anonymous.
Diners simply put what they want to donate through the slot in a little wooden box- and if their pockets happen to be empty, they don't.
No one notices, and no one cares.
But a hearty meal at little or no cost is only one of the benefits.
I volunteer there, and I love seeing how people socialize.
In a restaurant the patrons choose a table, eat, and leave.
At the Soup Kitchen a few leave after the meal, but many stay and mingle -visiting with old friends and meeting new ones.
Financial status seems to disappear as people from all age groups and all walks of life enjoy each other's company.
Some come early and stay until the doors close at 1- just because the social aspect is so much fun.
Since many of the seniors who come to lunch are now living alone, this may be the only real social interaction they have all week, and they seem to enjoy it to the fullest.
Fred's success in building the Soup Kitchen is proof once again that one person with determination can move a mountain.
Or in this case, a community.
And, while thoughts of glory were the farthest thing from his mind, last Spring he was presented with our local bank's Community Star award for outstanding service to the community.
I believe he deserved it.
You may not have a building at your disposal, but in all likelihood your community has something you could use if you want to follow Fred's footsteps.
The major ingredients in his success were things everyone can possess if they so choose - a worthy goal, and unwavering determination.
About 6 years ago Fred Charland noticed that while shelter was being provided for a few homeless men in our community, they didn't have food.
The food bank offered a little help, but certainly didn't get them through the month.
He determined to do something about it.
He was, and is, the Director of the Senior Center in our small community.
So he did have access to a building and a kitchen.
He just needed some help gathering enough food to make a difference.
One thing he didn't have at his disposal was an abundance of money.
It took 3 years, but he put together a group of 7 different social groups, church groups, and businesses who were willing to take turns providing soup and sandwiches each Monday.
Now the Soup Kitchen is in its 3rd year of operation, and is a popular spot for Monday lunch.
Every Monday at 11 a.
m.
one of 14 different businesses or organizations serves up a lunch of soups, sandwiches, salads, and desserts.
And it has brought the community together in beautiful ways.
Business people and citizens who can pay donate to support the cause, while those who are struggling eat for free.
Best of all for those who might feel embarrassed by tight finances, it's anonymous.
Diners simply put what they want to donate through the slot in a little wooden box- and if their pockets happen to be empty, they don't.
No one notices, and no one cares.
But a hearty meal at little or no cost is only one of the benefits.
I volunteer there, and I love seeing how people socialize.
In a restaurant the patrons choose a table, eat, and leave.
At the Soup Kitchen a few leave after the meal, but many stay and mingle -visiting with old friends and meeting new ones.
Financial status seems to disappear as people from all age groups and all walks of life enjoy each other's company.
Some come early and stay until the doors close at 1- just because the social aspect is so much fun.
Since many of the seniors who come to lunch are now living alone, this may be the only real social interaction they have all week, and they seem to enjoy it to the fullest.
Fred's success in building the Soup Kitchen is proof once again that one person with determination can move a mountain.
Or in this case, a community.
And, while thoughts of glory were the farthest thing from his mind, last Spring he was presented with our local bank's Community Star award for outstanding service to the community.
I believe he deserved it.
You may not have a building at your disposal, but in all likelihood your community has something you could use if you want to follow Fred's footsteps.
The major ingredients in his success were things everyone can possess if they so choose - a worthy goal, and unwavering determination.
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