Long Beach Soup Kitchen has been serving the local community for the past 40 years, and their work wouldn’t be possible without the support of the surrounding community and their dedicated volunteers.
To show its appreciation for its volunteers who always put the needs of the community first, the soup kitchen hosted a spring event in honor of its staff members. The fundraiser took place on May 29 at Roc & Olive (180 W. Park Ave.).
The fundraiser featured food and drinks, a raffle, a 50/50 and more. Though it had been four years since the last such event, the turnout and support from community members was clear to Betsy Glaser, fundraising director for the soup kitchen.
“I was excited about the event,” Glaser said, “and it was great to see so many volunteers come out. A lot of people I don't know who don't have a connection to volunteers came, and some of our regular supporters came too. We had a lot of new people come, which is always great because the more people that know about the soup kitchen, the more support we can get.”
Three volunteers were recognized at the event: Ira and Erin Katz, who have both volunteered with the Long Beach Soup Kitchen for more than 20 years, and Shirley Lieberman, who is over 90 and has also volunteered for more than 20 years, were presented with special plaques and flowers for their continued service.
Along with the three award recipients, the kitchen also announced its “Volunteer of the Year,” this year it was Larry Feldman.
“Mr. Feldman is the hardest working person we've ever met,” Glaser said of Feldman. “It was a great night and I think all of our volunteers were happy to be recognized.”
Glaser said the fundraiser raised about $6,000 for the soup kitchen. “It makes the volunteers feel good,” Glaser said. “It raises money and exposes new people to what we do, which is great in Long Beach.”
The soup kitchen is open every day. The walk-in food pantry is available on Mondays and Thursdays. People start lining up before 8 a.m., even though the pantry doesn't open until 11:15 a.m.
Most of the kitchen's food is donated by Trader Joe's, which provides weekly deliveries of soup, vegetables, fruit, meat, bread and canned goods. They also receive donations from neighbors and local organizations. In addition to Trader Joe's, soup kitchen president Robert Blau said they can always count on the generosity of the community and donations from Island Harvest and Long Island Cares.
