Feb 18, 2016 2 min read

Soup was on the lunch menu Thursday at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3491 in Carmichaels in what community volunteers hope will be the start of a monthly tradition.

The VFW’s women’s auxiliary and community volunteers organized and hosted the first community luncheon at the post at 500 W. George St.

The group of about 10 women volunteers cooked eight different types of soup in large roasters and baked deserts for the lunch.

“I’ve always wanted to open a soup kitchen my whole life,” Terri Cartier, one of the organizers, said. “It’s just nice to see something positive for the community.”

The lunch was open to the public and no donations are necessary. By noon, Linda Helmick, a volunteer, said they had seen a steady flow of people come through.

“It’s nice to give back to the community without expecting anything in return,” she said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to keep doing it and it will grow.”

Skip Black, the VFW post commander, donated use of the building for the lunch and plans allow the volunteers to use it for future lunches. The volunteers said they want to have one every month, including an Easter dinner in March.

“The veterans are all about promoting family-oriented events,” Black said. “We don’t want any money or donations. Just come in and enjoy your day.”

Helmick said the group wants to eventually expand the program to taking lunch to people who can’t drive to the post or pick them up and bring them.

“For the people who don’t have a means of transportation or who can’t get out to participate, they really like the social aspect and to be able to catch up with friends and neighbors over lunch,” she said.

A date for next month’s luncheon has not been set, but the group wants to host the Easter-themed ham dinner luncheon on a weekday before the holiday.