The Capuchin Soup Kitchen’s two meal program sites—Conner and Meldrum—serve full-course, nutritious meals to hundreds of men, women, and children each day. While monetary donations are gratefully accepted, no one is denied a meal because of their inability to pay. There is no eligibility criteria, and meals are served in spacious, clean and attractive settings.
The Conner Kitchen was opened in early 1998 in part as a response to Michigan’s welfare-to-work initiative. Located in one of the initiative’s pilot areas, the Conner Kitchen serves working families and seniors. As many as one-third of its meals are served to children 12 and under. The Meldrum site is located one block from the original soup kitchen location on Mt. Elliott and serves the chronically poor. Approximately 600 meals a day are served at the Meldrum Kitchen. Our Meldrum guests are typically male, experiencing homelessness or in unstable housing, often diagnosed with a mental illness and/or substance abuse addiction. In addition, this facility provides showers and clean clothing to give those in need a fresh focus and an increased sense of dignity and self-worth.
Whereas a portion of the food prepared and served in the kitchens is donated, the major part is purchased—preferably from Michigan producers. Both locations strive to be mindful of environmental concerns by composting organic food waste, and utilizing recyclable consumables and “earth-friendly” cleaning products.