Elsipogtog volunteers open soup kitchen to help those struggling with addictions

The people behind asoup kitchen at Elsipogtog First Nation in New Brunswick say it's a wayto meet the needs of the community'smost vulnerable and to let people know they're loved even when they're struggling with addictions.

After a community-wide drug bust on Sept.10, Olivia Gehuereached out to chief and council, got the keys to theold grocery store building and started serving soup. She said she always wanted to provide services to people struggling with addictions in the community, about 55kilometres north of Moncton, but the bust was a turning point.

"My main goal through it all was to make them feel like someone cared for them, to make them feel as though they still belong," said Gehue.

And that action drewan outpouring of support, she said.

Mary Victoria Levi and her daughter Alisha both volunteer at the soup kitchen. Levi is therefrom 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. most weekdays, helpingprepare meals andcare packages and listeningto the patrons.

"Sometimes people just need a good talk, a hug or someone just being there," said Levi.

Levi said the local school donated potatoes, a hunter donated moose meat and several local businesses donated coffee, clothes and snacks.

Volunteering with love

She said her god-daughter, Sarah Levi, struggled with addictions and would often come to her for help. She said she enjoyed cooking meals for her butSarah Levidied on Sept. 10.

"When she passed away, I thought, I might as well cook for them," said Levi.

And she's been at the soup kitchen most days since.

"When you love something, you're dedicated to it. I'm dedicated to what I'm doing," she said.

Christian Rainier Francissaid a hot meal can go a long way, and said hewas grateful for the turkey and barley soup an elder had donated to the soup kitchen.

"It means a lot for us, it keeps us from being out on the street," he said.

Francis said he once struggled with addictions but is now enrolled in a GED, or high school equivalency,program. He said thecommunity does a lot to help but there are still lingering problems.

"It's a lot of support and help for us which is good until we get more housing," said Francis.

He said he hopes to have a house before the winter but that's still uncertain. In the meantime, he said he hopes to volunteer some of his timehelping to clean up around the building.

Plans to expand services

Levi said there are plans to expandthe soup kitchen'sservices with the help of community leadership, by providing addiction servicesand becomingashelter. But first they would have to renovate the current building, and finish work onthe kitchen.

Levi said they still need a stove and grill. They have a toaster oven, but right now mainly prepare food elsewhere and bring it in.

So, far the soup kitchen offers breakfast, lunch and supper, coffee and tea, women's and men's clothes and a care package when the patrons leave.

While the soup kitchen is in its early stages and in need of some repairs, Gehuesaid she is proud of her community and"this is a huge step forward."