In the works for two years and three months, Hiltz said the plan is to start making meals, hot and cold, in early 2023. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

food for all

Stone Soup celebrates grand opening of new, permanent commercial kitchen

Dec 28, 2022 | 2:32 PM

NANAIMO — It’s an event over two years in the making, but Stone Soup finally has a permanent home.

The organization which provides free meals to anyone who needs them had been renting commercial kitchens around Nanaimo to cook food for the last few years.

Operated by the Wisteria Community Association, director Doug Hiltz said finding places to cook became nearly impossible once the pandemic hit, and that’s when they started looking for their own building.

“We’ve been out faithfully, with the cook making bagged lunches every night since COVID hit. I’ve had three nights off of serving, that’s my main job. As the director, I’m out at night seven days a week feeding the homeless.”

Stone Soup plans on providing hot food from its new location at 308 Fitzwilliam St. in the new year following open houses this week.

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Funds required for the building were provided through a combination of grants, donations, and tenacious fundraising efforts.

The new kitchen has plenty of space to operate, meaning they are prepared to remain open even if more restrictive pandemic-related public health measures return. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Stone Soup was originally in Hiltz’s backyard but was shut down in 2019 following an eviction battle after being open for just over a year.

Serving between 150-200 people nightly, Hiltz told NanaimoNewsNOW demand has levelled out a bit since the pandemic first started, but emphasized the need for nutritious meals is still high.

“Unfortunately, the ones that are addicted to drugs choose to get high instead of getting food, which makes them look thinner and sick. But a lot of them are starting to come around and get food again, cause they’re running low on funds so they can’t get their drugs.”

Hiltz makes four stops every night to deliver bagged lunches. He begins his night at the “cul-de-sac” on Robson St. around 5:30. From there, he goes to the Valley Lodge, then to the parking lot at Cavan and Victoria Rd. Next stop is around the library and then finished off at sports fields at Bowen Park.

The lunches consist of at least a sandwich and a baked good, along with soups and stews.

He said their service is open to anyone, regardless of their economic status.

“We don’t discriminate against people that work. If they’re hungry, and they show up and they want food, we’re going to give them food. We have one guy that…comes by the library every night and wants two bag lunches. I give him one and he sits and eats, and that second bag he uses for his lunch the next day at work.”

The new storefront for Stone Soup, providing them a permanent location to cook their meals. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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