Soup kitchen launches ambitious plan for expansion

A charitable organization that feeds and helps impoverished people in downtown St. John's is trying to raise millions of dollars for an expansion deemed necessary to meet a soaring demand.

The Gathering Place, which is operated by the Presentation Sisters and the Sisters of Mercy from a building that dates back to 1856, said it needs an overhaul.

"Five years ago, we were serving 14,000 meals a year. Last year, we served 21,000 meals for the year," said Elizabeth Davis, who co-chairs the Gathering Place board.

"We know that more affluence brings wider disparity among people and it increases rather than decreases the need," said Davis.

Volunteers are hoping to raise $7 million for the campaign, and have already raised more than $3 million.

The building has been already gutted, and plans are in place for an expanded space to serve people who need a meal and some support.

Brent Stevenson said the Gathering Place has been invaluable, for food and for friendship.

"If this wasn't here, I don't know where I would get a home meal to," he said. "So I'm glad it's here."

Joanne Thompson, a nurse who volunteers at the Gathering Place, said the booming economy has left some people on the margins even worse off.

"The expanded economy is not helping them," she said. "If anything, I think their life has been, their standard of living has been reduced."

The organization's goal is to begin providing more services in their newly renovated building this fall. The soup kitchen is currently operating from The Lantern, a nearby community centre.