Elsipogtog volunteers open soup kitchen to help those struggling with addictions

The people behind a soup kitchen at Elsipogtog First Nation in New Brunswick say it's a way to meet the needs of the community's most vulnerable and to let people know they're loved even when they're struggling with addictions.

After a community-wide drug bust on Sept.10, Olivia Gehue reached out to chief and council, got the keys to the old grocery store building and started serving soup. She said she always wanted to provide services to people struggling with addictions in the community, about 55 kilometres north of Moncton, but the bust was a turning point.

"My main goal through it all was to make them feel like someone cared for them, to make them feel as though they still belong," said Gehue.

And that action drew an outpouring of support, she said.

Mary Victoria Levi and her daughter Alisha both volunteer at the soup kitchen. Levi is there from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. most weekdays, helping prepare meals and care packages and listening to the patrons.

"Sometimes people just need a good talk, a hug or someone just being there," said Levi.

Levi said the local school donated potatoes, a hunter donated moose meat and several local businesses donated coffee, clothes and snacks.