Weekly Soup Kitchen Helps Those in Need

About a dozen volunteers give up their Saturday mornings and afternoons each week to help local families in need by running a soup kitchen at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 315 Main St., West Orange.

Julie Ehlers, of West Orange, the kitchen's coordinator, said the church hosts a lunchtime meal each week for individuals and families in need.

"There's a free hot lunch every Saturday, all year round, even on holidays and even in snow storms," said Ehlers. "It started back in 2002."

Ehlers said there is a different group or organization each week that provides the meals. Ehlers said ShopRite at Essex Green Shopping Center also helps by providing some food. Saturday's meal was coordinated with St. James Episcopal Church in Upper Montclair.

"We provide food for people four times a year," said Nina Steadman, of Montclair, and one of the coordinators from St. James Episcopal Church. "I coordinate shopping, cooking and bringing everybody here to help." 

Several volunteers said they donate their time to give back to the community.

Ilona Rami, of East Orange, said she helps with the kitchen because she "likes doing community work."

In addition to Holy Trinity's weekly soup kitchen, the church also hosts a food pantry where volunteers can drop off necessities for individuals and families.

At noon Saturday, about 75 people flooded the door to the main hall. Men, women and some children. Ehlers said the church usually gets between 60 and 100 people.

Among the smiling, tireless faces and the abundance of food, the chatter among patrons and the conversations among volunteers, it made some feel right at home.