Linda MacDonald (right) is set to leave her post as chef for Nanaimo's 7-10 Club at the end of March. (submitted/Linda MacDonald)

By Alex Rawnsley

MAJOR LOSS

Departing Nanaimo 7-10 club chef leaving huge pots and pans to fill

Mar 8, 2020 | 8:52 AM

NANAIMO — After two years of feeding hundreds of people daily, Linda MacDonald needs a break.

The Nanaimo 7-10 Club announced her pending departure as chef and kitchen manager of the meal service on Wednesday, March 4. MacDonald will leave at the end of March.

The club serves up hot soup and sandwiches for hundreds of people every weekday, providing comforting, homemade meals for those who otherwise may go without.

“This is not my first gig serving this type of clientele,” MacDonald said. “I’m originally from Montreal and I worked at the native women’s shelter there doing the same thing. I love to feed people, it’s my passion, but I need to take a break before I lose my passion.”

Her daily routine includes arriving on site at 4 a.m. and making a range of soups and sandwiches from scratch with food provided to her by Loaves and Fishes.

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“It’s nice to see people leave and have a full belly, something for them to carry on with their day,” MacDonald said. “You can’t live without having food and a full belly and no way they can do whatever they’re trying to do, if they’re trying to get better…everyone needs a full belly.”

Club secretary Cathy Haines said Linda will be missed by volunteers and clients of the program.

“She’s done a fantastic job, she’s so welcoming and warm to everyone who steps into this room,” Haines said. “She’s a fabulous cook, there are big shoes to fill because her soup is pretty darn good. I’m hoping that we can find somebody who event comes close to replacing what she’s done.”

MacDonald plans to return to the 7-10 Club on a volunteer basis after her batteries recharge. She told NanaimoNewsNOW she sees the value of the program continuing and hopes someone steps up to fill her role.

“I know we’re not the only place they go and eat but we are one of the few,” MacDonald said. “We serve a lot of people during the week so it’s a huge role. It’s somewhere they can eat, rest, come hang out with the friends…kids come in with their families.”

The club is advertising for a new cook with a job posting online.

alex.rawnsley@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley