Onaway’s soup kitchen continues its mission of service in new home

by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor
The Souper Duper Soup Kitchen (SDSK) has started up again in a new home.
Volunteers started serving meals again last Wednesday (Aug. 16) at the St. Paul Catholic Church hall in Onaway.

THE SOUPER Duper Soup Kitchen is back in business in Onaway. This was the crew working in the kitchen of the St. Paul Catholic Church Hall, Aug. 16. Pictured from left are Glen and Rita Lunceford, Jim Suchey, Dave DeLauder, Ray Tovar, Faye Gee, Pat Vermilya, Shelly Lunceford, Maxine DeLauder and Greg Diller. Glen said it is a great group of volunteers, that without them, it would not be a success. (Photo by Peter Jakey)
THE SOUPER Duper Soup Kitchen is back in business in Onaway. This was the crew working in the kitchen of the St. Paul Catholic Church Hall, Aug. 16. Pictured from left are Glen and Rita Lunceford, Jim Suchey, Dave DeLauder, Ray Tovar, Faye Gee, Pat Vermilya, Shelly Lunceford, Maxine DeLauder and Greg Diller. Glen said it is a great group of volunteers, that without them, it would not be a success. (Photo by Peter Jakey)

There was plenty of food to go around and lots of places to sit and eat. Organizers will now be waiting for the word to get out so the people return and get back to the days when 100 people are served every week.
Kitchen volunteers served the most people ever in late June, but it was right before they had to start searching for a new home.
The church opens its doors and kitchen, and is now SDSK is back in the business of serving hot meals to folks that may not get a home-cooked meal in the course of a week.
Glen Lunceford started the effort with his wife Rita back in March and he said it felt good to serve the community again.
“It feels fantastic,” said Glen. They served 70 on the first day back. There was chicken noodle soup and Shepard’s pie, plus a salad and dessert. “Honest to God, I feel all warm and bubbly.” And he believes that feeling will continue. “It will never wear off.”
He said SDSK serves two kinds of people. It’s those that support it with donations, but more importantly, “We feed the people that need to be fed.”
The idea started as a soup kitchen, and they will continue to serve soup, but Glen wanted to give people a reason to come back every week. So, instead of a bologna sandwich, or any other kind of sandwich, the entrée was added.
It’s also become a place in the community to socialize.
“You look around and see, they are all socializing,” he said. “They are here having a good time and socializing.” This was right before closing down.
Glen knows there is a stigma attached to a soup kitchen, so that’s why he wants to get the word out. People of the parish are invited, as well as those in the community of all denominations and walks of life.
“We are really happy and we believe this is a fantastic place to have a soup kitchen and we are really hopeful that the community will take advantage and enjoy the great food,” said Rita. “We really want to reach out to those in need and that includes kids who come home to a house where parents are working. We are really hoping that those with the greatest need will take advantage.”
The hours will be every  Wednesday 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.