Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle
Although a dwindling congregation at Oliver United Church has led to the sale of the building, its displaced soup kitchen will carry on, according to the faithful.
The Sunshine Soup Kitchen hosted its “last meal” at the church on Feb. 28, a sombre day but one filled with positivity and hope.
It was business as usual for professionally dressed volunteer Werner Maurer who serves soup to appreciative patrons sitting at the same tables that they always frequent. Maurer, with a white napkin draped over his forearm, looks like a high-class server.
Admiring the scene from the kitchen is Pat Chown who, along with Christina Ruddiman, organizes the ‘Sunshine’ every Tuesday. They say it only took a spark to start the soup kitchen more than 30 years ago by four church members who brought in pots of soup from home to share with the less fortunate. It soon grew into a weekly labour of love that fulfilled a great need.
But times have changed, and for the United Church, some hard decisions had to be made.
Church member John Chapman said they sat down eight years ago realizing they had to sell the building due to monetary challenges in the wake of a shrinking congregation.
“We were in a situation where we were going to have to fold,” Chapman said, noting if they hadn’t made the decision to sell, the church would have probably run out of money in six months.
He explained the church is down to about 12 families, which represents a congregation of approximately 20-25 people per week, compared to the 80 to 90 people they had before. “Many are elderly with not a lot of money,” he pointed out.
But Chown and Chapman see the silver lining in this situation since the church has made lease arrangements with the new building owner to continue worship services in a portion of the upstairs sanctuary. They say the owners propose to build apartments in the lower level where the soup kitchen is. A couple of apartments are also slated for the second floor.
Chapman said the church will operate in the designated space upstairs for four years, with the option to rent after that.
“It’s a win-win situation; we’re going to be able to survive. The biggest thing with our elderly members was they didn’t want to see the church torn down,” Chapman explained.
As for the soup kitchen, Chown said they understand that Desert Sun Counselling and Resource Centre will take over the operation at a new location, notably the Masonic Lodge on Kootenay Street.
Desert Sun Executive Director Marieze Tarr said they are finalizing the details but could not provide any information on specifics. The soup kitchen is expected to restart in November.
One patron, Nancy, has been using the soup kitchen for 15 years.
“It’s really nice when it’s cold out to have somewhere warm and get a homemade bowl of soup, especially when you can’t afford it,” she said, with her friends nodding in agreement.
Nancy, who is on disability, cherishes the social atmosphere that the soup kitchen offers, noting she missed being with friends during COVID when the kitchen was closed.
She pointed out there is no homeless shelter in Oliver and she was hoping the town would establish one. But she said the neighbours spoke out against it last year. “I understand that because of the drug and alcohol situation.”
Nancy said she was a single parent with four children and used to make homemade soup at home, but only when she had enough money for the ingredients.
She noted the one thing she really likes about the soup kitchen is that if you’re looking to adopt a grandmother, there are several very nice ladies in the kitchen to choose from. Her friends laughed at that one.
John Young comes to the soup kitchen with friends from the Oliver Senior’s Centre.
“I’m going to miss it here. We come here to donate for a good cause . . . some people are only a paycheque away [from poverty].”
Bobi Emblin said the main reason she comes is to give something back to the community. “I feel for these people; it’s heartbreaking sometimes seeing the condition they are in.”
Chapman admitted that he and other church leaders have lost sleep over the past several years but are relieved that a workable solution has been found.
“We will continue to worship and employ our ministry, all of which was very doubtful seven or eight years ago. It’s a practicality we had to face . . . there must be a God somewhere to make some of these things happen.”
The hobbling congregation is still worrisome, though. Chapman chalks that up to technology and busy family lives.
“Our kids, now in their 50s with family, don’t see the need to attend church to lead Christian lives. It’s a different paradigm than when I was a kid.”
United Church minister Marie Paul said Canadian society has become more secular and church attendance has taken a steady decline since the high point of the baby boom in the 1970s.
“Sports and shopping are now available on Sundays and compete with families that may want to attend but are committed to their child’s team activities.”
As for the soup kitchen, Paul said the church is very grateful for the community donations of food from grocery stores and bakeries. She also gave huge thanks to the many faithful volunteers for their time and effort.
