Souls Harbour gives Bridgewater its only soup kitchen
Stephanie vanKampen | CBC News | Posted: July 3, 2016 11:00 AM | Last Updated: July 3, 2016
The drop-in centre will be open afternoons four days a week
Souls Harbour Rescue Mission has expanded into the town of Bridgewater, in response to a growing need in a community long without a soup kitchen.
"We don't see people curled up in doorways, living on the street, finding shelter on the street, as you would see in a larger city, but the needs are really great," said Vicky Sovie, manager and chaplain of the Halifax-based organization.
'A no-brainer'
Sovie said she spent the winter serving hot meals out of the back of her truck near the one and only food bank in Lunenburg County. That helped 7,000 people last year, she said. She's a retired nurse from the area, as well.
"Knowing that the needs were so great at the food bank, it was almost as if you could say it's a no-brainer," Sovie said.
New building
Souls Harbour has purchased an old home on Pleasant Street in the centre of town, which will serve as a place for people to spend time and receive a hot meal.
It will be open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, beginning July 11. Sovie said the team expects to serve around 35 people every day.
"We have children going to school who are hungry," she said.
Volunteers needed
Food and furniture donations have already been pouring in, she said.
The centre is looking for a donor to come forward to help with roof repair on the building. It's also welcoming volunteers to help serve food and spend time with clients.