Soup kitchen serves up a surprise

The Idaho Falls Soup Kitchen prides itself on having served people in the community since 1985. The restaurant style soup kitchen provides meals to the less fortunate on a weekly bases.

Recently, a group of six volunteers from an Idaho Falls church held a fundraiser to raise money to travel to Haiti.

They teamed up with Texas Roadhouse and sold meal tickets, each valued at $12 per ticket. Each ticket was worth one meal. The Texas Roadhouse received $7 from each sale and $5 went to the fundraiser. Volunteers sold tickets for a month. They sold 200 meal tickets.

Buddy Hall, Haiti organizer for St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, has planned missions for 13 years and said she’s looking forward to teaching and serving children at the orphanage.

“I think the most important thing is when you go on a trip like this you prepare yourself to experience personal transformation. Not only are we serving our local community by serving Texas Roadhouse but we are raising money to send our team to Haiti. Its helping on a global scale,” Hall said.

This year, they’ve partnered up with First Presbyterian Church.

“We will fly into Leogane and when we land we will be picked up by our sponsors. The conditions will be shocking for most people on the team. I enjoy taking young people to Haiti because ultimately they are going to change the world,” Hall said.

Kate Barrett, who has volunteered at the soup kitchen for three and said she enjoys helping.

“I think a lot of people should volunteer because it gives you a good feeling. I love seeing people come in here and talk to each other. The food from Texas Roadhouse was a good surprise.It made people feel special,” Kate said.

Kate said she expects to bring back a positive attitude and continue to help more in the community.

“We are going to help little kids at the orphanage. I sold tickets to help us get ready for the trip to Haiti,” Kate said.

Ed Gilder, who manages an apartment building in Idaho Falls, said he was looking forward to the meal.

“I’ve never had Texas Roadhouse before I’ve always wanted to try it out and heard about it. It was a little pricey so I couldn’t try it. We don’t get something like this often. We all appreciate it,” Gilder said.

Gilder said he gets a sense of community when comes to the soup kitchen. “In this area with the way the job situation is once you get your bills paid you don’t have money left to buy food. A lot of people are in this situation. We have a good time here,” Gilder said.

Dillon Klabenes, has a full time job but still can’t afford to buy food. ” I have ramen at home but it’s not enough to live off. I enjoy the atmosphere here they are friendly and welcoming. When I first started coming here I felt a little embarrassed and it hurt my self esteem. I need this to get by for now but and in the future I will give back when I can,” Klabenes said.

Klabenes said the atmosphere at the soup kitchen is like dinning out at Denny’s or Texas Roadhouse. “I’ve never had Texas Roadhouse before and I’m the pulled pork and salad but my favorite is the butter they give you for your roll. It’s got a sweet taste to it,” Klabenes said.

Stacey Barrett, volunteer said she’s been looking forward to traveling to Haiti with her daughters.

“When my girls were 5 years of age I thought when they get older I want them to go to Haiti and serve. My two daughters are now 16 years-old and this is a good opportunity for them to see another part of the world and be apart of a solution,” Barrett said. “Not only are we supporting out trip to Haiti we are giving back to the community.”

“We are so lucky to live in the United States and it will open my children’s eye’s to giving back,” Barrett said.

The team will be leaving to Haiti this July.