Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen

by Kari Frisch

Mother Nature may have played a joke on the Brainerd community by dropping a foot of spring snow on April 1st, but that day the effect of the economy on the hungry was no laughing matter. The sidewalks were slushy and getting around was no easy matter, especially for those who have no means of transportation. Despite the inclement weather conditions, 47 people still made it to Brainerd’s Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen.

Started in 1987 in the basement of Brainerd’s St. Francis Church, Sharing Bread has physically moved and grown into the complete community entity that it is today—a non-denomination, non-profit organization managed under the guidance of Pastor Bob Evans and facilitated by a 12 person board of community members.

Since its inception, the Sharing Bread Soup kitchen has served over 350,000 meals to those in need in the Brainerd Community. The number of people served each night can range from around 20 to over 100. Factors that affect the turn out include: the economy, the time of year, and most definitely the weather. Pastor Bob explains, “The brutal and unrelenting cold of this past winter slowed folks down a bit, but, now that the weather has begun to moderate, the numbers are once again on the rise.”

“Sometimes it is hard to put a meal together when you don’t know exactly how many people will turn out—you always have to have a back-up plan” commented Ann Bergin, a soup kitchen coordinator for Nisswa’s Lutheran Church of the Cross. The Church is one of several organizations that have stepped up and committed to one particular day of every month to plan, prepare and serve a meal. They’ve dedicated themselves to the first Thursday of every month.

On April 1st it was St. Joseph’s turn. St. Joseph’s Hospital, which has the first Wednesday of every month, has different departments which take turns throughout the year. This particular day was lead by the 2nd floor. On the menu were Swedish meatballs with mashed potatoes, peas, jello fruit salad, bread and lime cake for dessert.

One of the requirements for those serving at the soup kitchen is that the volunteers provide a balanced meal. Many groups purchase their ingredients and prepare the food in Sharing Bread’s Kitchen while others, like St. Joseph’s bring in prepared food to serve. There is also a small food shelf at Sharing Bread that some groups use to compliment what they will be bringing in while others access it to plan their entire meal. Although the meals may vary, one unfortunate fact remains-- whatever is served is for many their only well-balanced meal for the day and for some, their only meal of the day. No question, Sharing Bread provides an important service in our community.

Not surprisingly, with the economy being as it is, the need for such services is as strong as ever. According to citydata.com 21.1% of people who live in Brainerd live at or below the poverty level. This is much higher than the state’s average of 9.5%. Even more startling is the fact that in Brainerd 1 out of every 4 children lives below the poverty level --25.1% as compared to 11.6% on average for Minnesota and those numbers are based on 2007 statistics. The numbers for 2008 are expected to be much higher. Pastor Bob reports that the current economic downturn has resulted in an increase in the number of people Sharing Bread serves. But Brainerd residents are stepping up to meet the challenge.


Sharing Bread Executive Board President, Tom Chesley remarks, “Our community has an amazing sense of generosity to help the needy at a time when many people have to tighten their own belts.” He continues by adding that the board “truly appreciates the many service clubs, churches and individuals who contribute to Sharing Bread”. With over 30 groups on the calendar there are plenty of opportunities for people to get involved. Ann Bergin summarizes the benefits of volunteering by simply saying “I think we get more out of it than they do.”

And who are they? They are the young and the old. They are teenagers and middle-aged. They are the employed and the unemployed. They are veterans and they are ones who’ve never left the state of Minnesota. They are singles and they are complete families. They are able-bodied and they are physically or mentally challenged. They are college students and they are people who are just trying to make it in between paychecks. They are members of our community. ..everyone has a place at this table.

“Our doors are wide open. We don’t have any requirements and won’t turn anyone away,” says Tom Chesley adding, “ we certainly hope that during these hard economic times that people know that these services are there and free and that everyone is welcome.” And that’s no April Fool’s Day joke.

April 1st serving Crew representing St. Joseph’s Hospital.
From left to right: Gloria Pikula, Marlys Peterson, Alysia Abel, Kris Spreeman, Sara Loschko, Amanda Loschko, Jack Loschko, Laura Villnow, and Jamie Carlson

Sharing Bread serves an evening meal at 5:30 pm every Monday through Saturday and at 1:00 pm every Sunday. It is housed in the fellowship Hall of Temple Baptist Church across from Washington Middle School. Food donations are accepted at the Soup Kitchen during service hours (from about 5-6:30 PM M-Sat.) or by arrangement with Pastor Bob at pastorbob@sharingbread.com. To find out how you can volunteer or for more information check out their website.


Photo Three: Small food shelf available for Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen