Capuchin Soup Kitchen facts for kids
Capuchin Soup Kitchen's Conner Street location
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| Formation | 1929 |
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| Founders | Solanus Casey, OFM, Cap. and Herman Buss, OFM, Cap. |
| Type | Nonprofit |
| Purpose | Humanitarian |
| Headquarters | 1820 Mount Elliot St. Detroit, MI |
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Executive Director
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Br. Gary Wegner, OFM, Cap. |
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Parent organization
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Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph |
| Affiliations | Gleaners Community Food Bank Detroit Agricultural Network |
The Capuchin Soup Kitchen (CSK) is a special non-profit group in Detroit, Michigan. It was started by Capuchin friars (a type of religious brother) in 1929. They wanted to help people who were struggling to find food during the Great Depression.
Even though it started as a soup kitchen, CSK now does much more! It has a food and clothing bank, a program to help people get back on their feet, and even after-school and summer programs for kids. Through all its different ways of helping, CSK serves about 560,000 people every year.
Contents
History of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen
The Capuchin Soup Kitchen was started in 1929 by two Capuchin friars, Solanus Casey and Herman Buss. They saw how many people in Detroit needed help during the Great Depression. This was a time when many people lost their jobs and homes.
At first, the friars at St. Bonaventure Monastery simply shared food from their own kitchen. Solanus Casey, who was the doorkeeper at the monastery, would give coffee and sandwiches to everyone who came asking for help.
Soon, the line of people outside the monastery grew very long, sometimes up to 2,000 people a day! It became too much for the monastery kitchen alone. So, Herman Buss asked for help from the Secular Franciscan Order, a group of people who follow the teachings of St. Francis but don't live in a monastery.
With their help, the friars moved their services to a bigger building next to the monastery's small church. The Capuchin Soup Kitchen officially opened its doors on November 2, 1929. Herman Buss became the first director, and Solanus Casey kept helping people at the monastery door.
Later, in 1942, the Capuchin Charity Guild was created. This group helped raise money to keep the soup kitchen running. Over the years, the Capuchin Soup Kitchen has grown and now has two main locations for its meal programs.
In the 1970s, CSK started Jefferson House, a program to help men facing tough times. In 2006, the R.O.P.E. (Reaching Our Potential Everyday) Program began. This program is connected to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen's On the Rise Bakery. On November 18, 2017, Solanus Casey, one of the founders, was honored in a special ceremony in Detroit. About 60,000 to 70,000 people attended this event.
Programs and Services
The Capuchin Soup Kitchen has seven different programs. These programs are designed to help people in Detroit who are facing various challenges.
Meal Programs
The Capuchin Soup Kitchen has two main places where they serve meals. Together, they serve about 2,000 meals every day!
Meldrum Soup Kitchen
The Meldrum soup kitchen was the first program started by the Capuchin Soup Kitchen in 1929. It's located very close to where the original soup kitchen was. This kitchen serves about 600 meals a day, mostly to men who need help. It is also easy for people with disabilities to access.
Conner Soup Kitchen
The Conner Kitchen opened in 1998. This location serves working families and older people. About one-third of the meals served here go to children aged 12 and under.
On the Rise Bakery & R.O.P.E Program
On the Rise Bakery is a special bakery run by people in the Capuchin's R.O.P.E. (Reaching Our Potential Everyday) program. This program helps people learn useful skills for jobs. The money earned from the bakery helps pay for housing, training, and support for the people in the R.O.P.E. program. Everyone in the program helps and supports new people who join.
Earthworks Urban Farm
Earthworks Urban Farm started in 1997. It's a farm with eight gardens spread across 20 city blocks in Detroit! The farm grows vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. This fresh produce helps provide healthy meals for the people served by the Capuchin Soup Kitchen. The farm also sells some of its products at local markets to help raise money for CSK.
Capuchin Services Center
The Capuchin Services Center helps about 228,000 people in Detroit each year. They give out emergency food and basic items that families need. They also provide furniture and clothing to people based on their family size.
Jefferson House
Jefferson House is a place where men facing tough times can stay. It has twelve beds and provides a safe place for them to live and get support.
Rosa Parks Children's Program
The Rosa Parks Children's Program is for kids aged 6 to 12. It helps them improve their art and reading skills. They also have a Summer Peace Camp, a three-week program where children learn to deal with difficult feelings through art, music, and dance.
Spiritual Care
Spiritual Care offers guidance and support for those who want to learn more about the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi.
Partnerships and Support
To help raise money and get volunteers, the Capuchin Soup Kitchen works with many different companies and groups. They also receive special grants to support their farming and legal help programs. CSK also partners with other non-profit groups in Detroit.
Business Partners
Car Companies
From 2005 to 2014, big car companies like General Motors (GM), Chrysler Group, and Ford Motor Company gave a lot of money to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen. This money helped CSK provide food, job training, and other services. These companies also encouraged their employees to volunteer at CSK.
Bob Evans Inc.
In 2013, the Capuchin Soup Kitchen partnered with Bob Evans Restaurants. This company helped pay for the renovation of CSK's Conner Avenue building, which is home to the Rosa Parks Children and Youth Program.
DTE Energy and DNV GL
In 2016, DTE Energy and DNV GL worked with the Capuchin Soup Kitchen on a project to save energy. DNV GL donated energy-efficient ovens, fryers, a dishwasher, and LED lights. This helped the soup kitchen reduce its energy costs.
Kroger
The Capuchin Soup Kitchen receives food donations from the Kroger company. Kroger has a program called "Zero Hunger Zero Waste" that helps provide food to communities.
Local Detroit Business Partners
Ahee Jewelry Co., a Michigan-based business, has sponsored the "Capuchin Souper Summer Celebration." This event raised about $3.5 million for the charity between 1981 and 2001.
Since 1976, Buddy's Pizza, a Detroit restaurant chain, has hosted an annual "Slice for Life" fundraiser. This event has raised over $3 million for CSK.
The Detroit radio station WMGC-FM (105.1) hosts an annual "Capuchin Soup Kitchen Radiothon." This event raises money every year to support the Capuchin Soup Kitchen.
Grants
In 2003, the United States Department of Agriculture gave a $150,000 grant to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen. This money helped them start projects to improve urban farming in Detroit. This included helping people create home and community gardens.
In 2016, The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan approved a $50,000 grant for CSK. This grant helped support a partnership that provides free legal services to people experiencing homelessness.
In October 2016, Mahindra North American Technical Center gave a $12,500 grant to the CSK Earthworks Urban Farm. This grant supported a nine-month program to train urban farmers and people who want to start food businesses.
Partnered Non-profit Groups
Gleaners Community Food Bank in Detroit, a non-profit food bank, provides tons of food to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen every month. This food helps support the soup kitchen's operations.
The Capuchin Soup Kitchen is also part of the Detroit Agricultural Network. This group helps families and community gardeners get low-cost seeds, compost, and classes.
Impact and How They Help
Who They Serve
The Capuchin Soup Kitchen helps men, women, and children who are experiencing homelessness or poverty. Volunteers and staff work with people from all backgrounds, no matter their race, age, or income. CSK also helps people who have been in prison through the On the Rise Bakery, offering support and learning opportunities.
Statistics
The organization reports that they help about 560,000 people each year. They also provide food and clothing to 228,000 people in the Detroit area.
Here are some numbers:
- About 2,000 hot meals are served every day.
- Every month, they give away 300,000 pounds of groceries, 30,000 pieces of clothing, and over 500 pieces of furniture and appliances.
- Their soup kitchens feed about 20,000 people per week.
- Earthworks Urban Farm grows food for CSK using three gardens on a 2.5-acre farm.
- They serve 160-180 families each day, which means 3,600 to 4,000 families a month.
Funds
The Capuchin Soup Kitchen does not receive money from the government. They rely on donations and the money they earn from their own programs, like On The Rise Bakery. In 2018, CSK's reported income was $288,786.
The Capuchin Services Center
The Capuchin Services Center works like a grocery store. People in need can get free food and clothing based on their family size. It has refrigerators, freezers, and shelves filled with food and clothes. Companies like Kroger and Kohl's have donated items to make the center look like a regular store.
Legal Help
The Capuchin Soup Kitchen offers legal help to people with issues like traffic tickets, child support, or problems with landlords. Volunteer lawyers and legal assistants from different law firms and companies provide this advice. CSK locations also offer showers and clean clothes for people experiencing homelessness. They also help up to 800 children a month with a children's library and an art therapy studio.
Images for kids
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Capuchin Soup Kitchen's Conner Street location
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Capuchin Soup Kitchen's Meldrum Street location.
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Jefferson House
