Soup’s On founder honoured at anniversary

Soup’s On founder Joy Neufeld was honoured at the 20th anniversary celebration hosted at Grace Mennonite Church on July 6.

That was exactly 20 years to the day that Neufeld served the very first meal of spaghetti and meat sauce to the community.

Kari Bachmeier was the master of ceremonies at the event and gave tribute to Neufeld.

“Twenty years ago, a young woman saw a need for a soup kitchen and made it her mission to make it happen,” she said.

Neufeld began what was then called Soup Is On, (later shortened to Soup’s On) and also began two school lunch programs.

Bachmeier admitted the celebration feels a little strange.

“The need for a soup kitchen is not something to celebrate,” she said. “This event is about thanking our community for all these years of support.”

Soup’s On board president Henry Doerksen also expressed his thanks to the retiring Neufeld.

“On behalf of the board I would really like to thank you for your dedication, your insight, your just always being there for the kids,” he said. “I know you worked with hundreds, (but) you’ve touched thousands in this community.”

Mayor Earl Funk presented Neufeld with a community contribution medal from the City of Steinbach.

He recalled his first interaction with the still fairly new soup kitchen when he opened Earls Meat Market 19 years ago.

A donated beef had been slaughtered by a butcher who donated their time. Earls Meat Market processed the meat into hamburger, also as a donation.

“When Joy came to pick it up, she had tears in her eyes for the generosity between farmers, the plant who did the butchering of the animal and us,” he said. “That never changed. Every time she came to pick up something she’d cry.”

Funk himself teared up as he presented the medal to a tearful Neufeld and the two exchanged a hug.

Hanover School Division assistant superintendent Colin Campbell gave credit to Neufeld for her hard work and told the crowd the difference the programs make.

“I also know as a teacher, what it’s like to see a student in the classroom, unnourished, how they behave, how they’re not able to focus in school, and then I also know what it’s like to see that same student be provided with a snack or a lunch and then be able to see a dramatic change in their behaviour, their focus and also just their love for school,” he said. “Over 20 years you have poured energy, love, compassion into every meal being prepared, every delivery that you organized so no child goes hungry.”

Neufeld spoke to the crowd saying her parents modelled love, ethics and values for her.

“As a child I grew up in poverty, but one thing my father and mom said, it doesn’t matter how much or how little you have, you always have something to give,” she said.

She also gave tribute to her mentor, the late Martha Rempel, who Neufeld said moved mountains to give a better life to adults living with intellectual disabilities.

“She taught me when you have an idea, a dream, that can make someone’s life a little bit better, you don’t waver,” she said.

Neufeld also learned to surround herself with great people, something that she said made Soup’s On a success along with support from her family and church.

She added that many others deserve to share the credit.

“I feel a little bit undeserving of all these kind remarks,” she said. “Yes, I started a soup kitchen because there was a need, but I did the pulling (and) you all did the pushing.”

“The soup kitchen is what it is because of you out there not because of me standing here in front of you,” she added.