By KATHI NAGORSKI
Staff Writer
BRAINERD, MN
Sharing more than bread, dozens of area citizens are enjoying meals each week at Brainerd's soup kitchen.
On average, 50 people each night are eating at the Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen, 209 S. Seventh St.
"We have some very good meals here," said Mary Marana, a soup kitchen board member.
She said she volunteers and serves on the board for the enjoyment of giving to others.
"It's a way I can give of my time that is appreciated," she said.
The soup kitchen first opened its doors in 1987 at St. Francis Catholic Church before moving in 1992 to its current location in downtown Brainerd.
Perhaps partly because of welfare reform, the average number of meals served each day has increased over the past year or so from 30 to 50, said Pat True, Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen manager.
Volunteers with churches, schools, companies, families and other organizations make the soup kitchen possible by giving of their time to prepare and serve meals and by giving of money or food. Many others are wishing to give of their time as there is a waiting list for those wishing to cook or serve the dinner meals.
"We've been very blessed by this community," Marana said. "That's why we're still here, because of the community generosity."
Some organizations, including the Brainerd Sertoma Club, have also helped make improvements at the facility, such as laying tile and painting walls in a storage room.
One other person has helped keep the soup kitchen in business. Marana noted generosity by the building landlord, Dave Pueringer, in keeping the rent affordable.
With no complaints, Pueringer said the soup kitchen has been a good tenant.
But because of the need for additional space and because of no need to be in a prime commercial area, Marana said the soup kitchen would like to eventually relocate to another nearby location.
True also hopes to relocate one day to a facility with enough room to have the kitchen separate from the dining room.
At the current facility, the tables are closest to the front door with the kitchen at the back of this room.
Trying to keep the doors of the soup kitchen open is not always easy though, True said.
When wondering how to pay a bill when the checkbook funds are low, True said, "God provides through community donations just out of the blue."
Jan Holmes, a volunteer at the soup kitchen, makes sandwiches for the Thursday night meal.
This non-profit organization offers free meals from 5:30 to 6 p.m. each night except Sunday. It is believed to be the only one of its kind from St. Cloud to Duluth although soup kitchens may open soon in Pine River and Walker.
Sara True, a student volunteer from Franklin Junior High, sets tables before the people arrive for the meal.
Good meals may also be bringing people back. For example, a typical meal may include meatballs, mashed potatoes with gravy, a vegetable, bread and dessert with coffee or milk.
Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen manager, Pat True stirs salad in the open kitchen of the facility before the doors open for the meal.
"There is a definite need for this in the area," he said.
