STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK
It was a bone chilling night in early December 1997 when nine people gathered in the kitchen of St. Charles’ Parish Hall, ladling red sauce over pasta and setting out bowls of chicken noodle soup, salad and bread pudding.
They had set places for 40. But only one man—Alex Garza—showed up. A construction worker, he had hoped to find work shoveling snow that day but no one had called. The meal was a good end to the day, however, he told those behind the new Souper Supper.
Twenty years later—on Monday—many of the same people who had worked in the kitchen that first evening were back. This time they were celebrating the 20th anniversary of the twice-weekly free meal served up to anyone who wants it.
And this time they were serving heaping helpings of lasagna, salad and anniversary cake to a whopping 50 people—some of them people like Julie Roos who has headed up crews of three to eight as a “Head Souper” over the past two decades.
Souper Suppers has served more than 75,000 meals since the beginning.
“A lot of people you see out there tonight have been coming for years—it’s as much a chance to get out of the house and socialize as a chance to get a bite to eat,” said server Jane Eittreim. “We always have amazing groups come in to cook up supper. And, while the fare may not always be super fancy, it’s so darn good. There are no bad meals, for sure!”
It was Margie Hill who got together a group of friends from various churches that first night on Dec. 8, 1997. She had heard that there were some in the community who were hungry and she thought she and her friends—Joan Anderson Lynn Flickinger, Ragna Caron, Dora Levin, Tara Martin, Arleane Merrick, Sandy Koenig, Carol VanBramer, Irene Healy and Jane Eittreim—could pitch in to do something about it.
There was no Hunger Coalition in those days. It would be six years—in 2003—before that organization began handing out food to those who needed it.
“Our mission is simple,” said Marilyn Siegel. “Be there.”
“It’s not just a holiday thing,” Hill added then. “We’re open for what is an indefinite time.”
Souper Suppers has never received any government funding or asked the community for funds. It’s been able to churn out meals with donations from restaurants and supermarkets, the LDS farm and cash donations from individuals and businesses, including the Turkey Trot, which gave it $1,500 one year.
Crews found themselves overwhelmed during the Great Recession when they served as many as 89 people in a single night. But they were buoyed by the expressions of gratitude.
One family came for months during that period, then didn’t show up for several weeks, recalled Flickinger. Finally, the father came back—he had a new job and a donation for Souper Supper in hand.
Groups have come from a variety of churches, including the Episcopal, LDS, Catholic, Calvary Baptist and Jewish. Scouts and school groups—even groups of friends—have pitched in.
A group representing the Wood River Jewish Community has cooked Christmas dinners for diners, giving out gift bags of toothpaste, razors and other items that Penny Leopold has collected during stays at hotels.
And John Murcko, who was then the head chef for Sun Valley Resort, surprised diners with a gourmet meal featuring beef tenderloin with garlic mushroom stuffing and blood orange and chocolate pistachio cheesecake.
“Everyone tries to make it special,” said Koenig.
Teddie Dayley began bringing Lois Heagle to the dinner after Heagle wrecked her car, and she kept coming even after Heagle stopped.
“We call this the clique table because the same people eat here every time,” she said, looking around at her dinner mates.
“I’ve been coming for a couple years and every week there’s a different group of people serving you,” added Ketchum resident John Jepson. “They’re always pleasant. Sometimes they even have kids helping. It’s always worth coming back.”
Koenig noted that 20 years is a long time for an organization to survive, especially one like Souper Suppers that doesn’t really have anyone in charge.
“I’m just glad to see the community come together and enjoy good food and warm hugs,” said Hill, as she helped Flickinger cut the cake. “I’ve really enjoyed, too, how some of the seniors in the community have come just to enjoy a night out with others. Maybe they didn’t need a meal but they needed companionship.”
WANT TO HELP?
Free dinners are served at 5:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays throughout the year except for the 4th of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Meals are served to anyone who is hungry, without question. Usually, there is day-old bread, yogurt and other items for diners to take home, as well.
Souper Supper is a 501©3 organization.
Donations can be sent to Dora Levin, Box 4197, Ketchum, ID 83340. Or, call her at 208-726-1441. Checks may be made out to Souper Supper Dining Room.