There is a need for The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries

     Did you know that last year almost 250,000 “meals” were distributed to individuals and families during the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries grocery distribution program?  And, that over 8,000 nutritious and delicious meals were provided at our meal sites, serving 7 days a week?

     There are those among us who are hungry and alone. You can change that; you can make a difference in the lives of those who are hungry in body and spirit.

• How can you make a donation?

• How can you help put together a food drive to benefit The Shoreline Soup Kitchens?

• How can you volunteer your time or services?

• How can you help produce fresh vegetables for our grocery distribution sites?

• How can you join our community garden?

• How can you join Families Feeding Families?

When you think of Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries, think of……

Lila*, 27, with two young children, works a full time minimum wage job at a local retailer.  She lives alone in a small apartment on a very busy street.  She owns no car and walks to work.  She is a proud woman who believes that her children will be better off than she.  Some months she has to choose between rent and heat, some months it’s between heat and food.  During the winter, her choice becomes more urgent---that’s when she turns to The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries.  Lila is able to get enough food for herself and her children so she does not need to choose.

Samuel*, 62, is alone in the world.  His wife Greta of 39 years recently died of bone cancer and they had no children.  Some nights he eats alone, some nights he doesn’t eat.  Samuel often can’t bring himself to sit at the table he shared with Greta all those years.  He loses his appetite.  He recently came to a Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries meal site and had dinner with some new friends.  Samuel enjoyed the meal and the fellowship; he hasn’t felt so alone since.

Rose*, 43, has mental health issues.  She is a kind gentle woman who can’t always make it in the world.  She receives aid from the state and lives in subsidized housing, but sometimes, between checks, she needs help making ends meet.  Rose comes to The Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries food pantries once a week for her groceries.  She is greeted with warmth and kindness.  She doesn’t feel strange, she doesn’t feel picked on—she feels safe.

Bart*, 82, is married to the love of his life, Selma.  Selma recently had major surgery and is recuperating.  Bart and Selma have come to the Shoreline Soup Kitchens & Pantries meal sites for several years.  They recently attended a grocery distribution and left with four heat-n-eat meals. Bart’s doing all the cooking and he’s never had to—these meals have ensured that they are eating well while Selma gets back to health.  

                                                     ...all those you are helping.

*names and details have been changed for privacy.