‘Soup’s on’ at local soup kitchen

By Pat Bailey

Bill Dunn likes to stir the pot — especially when it's for a good cause.

And today Dunn will be whipping up his famous cream of potato and bacon soup for the first of nine 'soup kitchens' offered this season at the Mason's Hall on John Street.

Known as the local 'soup guru', Dunn became aware of the need in the community through his work with the Masons in recent years.

So last year, Dunn decided he would make use of his 'God given talent of making soup' to help some of the less fortunate people in the area have at least one good meal each Wednesday in November and December.

And Dunn was shocked by the response. "I started last year with four pots of soup (each a different kind)," said Dunn, "then six, and by the end I was making 10."

This effort, he said, is for the entire community and attracts all walks of life — not just those struggling to make ends meet.

And the important thing, said Dunn, is that making a donation is optional — no one is singled out, and in fact, no one is watching to see who pays or how much they pay.

Through his volunteer effort, Dunn has learned a great deal about Leamington and the surrounding area.

"Most importantly," said Dunn, "I learned we've got an incredible community."

He said dozens of volunteers have come forward to help out in the soup kitchen, make soup, donate plates, cutlery, cups or help out financially.

"We never know what we're going to get," said Dunn, "until we get there."

Dunn said his own employer, the Real Canadian Superstore, has been very supportive, as well as Alberto's European Bakery and several ladies who have donated freshly baked bread, spinach pie and additional extra treats.

He said big soup pots have been donated, ingredients have been donated and the facilities have been donated.

And Dunn said it's all of those people behind the scenes, and people like Joe Yammine that are key to the success of the soup kitchen.

Yammine, owner of Break Time Corner, has donated his kitchen to prepare the soup.

Yammine said it's the least he can do.

"I came from a poor family," he said, "and migrated to Canada in the early 1990s to escape poverty and war — looking for a better life."  To read more go to www.leamingtonpostandshopper.com.