Humboldt Community Soup Kitchen to close amid funding woes

HUMBOLDT — The Humboldt Community Soup Kitchen will close its doors this fall, citing several issues.

“Due to insufficient funding and a lack of available volunteers, as well as health concerns among the present staff, we can no longer keep the doors open.”

The organization announced on social media that service will end Sept. 30.

Executive director Kari Cenciosi said the decision was made after months of financial challenges and ongoing difficulties recruiting volunteers.

“Our mission has always been to feed the hungry and to not leave anyone behind,” Cenciosi said in a statement provided to SaskToday.

The charitable non-profit organization was established in 2015 by founder James, who initially operated the service from a back alley to provide meals for people in need.

Today, the volunteer-run organization has a five-member board and relies on volunteers to prepare, package and deliver meals. Cenciosi said between four and six volunteers typically prepare meals each Tuesday, while another four to six volunteers handle deliveries.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, families gathered in person for weekly meals. When public health restrictions prevented those gatherings in March 2020, the organization shifted to a delivery model.

At that time, the soup kitchen was serving between 40 and 60 people each week. It now prepares and delivers about 150 meals every Tuesday, with service expanded beyond Humboldt to include Bruno, Middle Lake, Muenster and LeRoy, Cenciosi said.

Cenciosi said many clients preferred delivery because of concerns about stigma associated with seeking food support.

“The statement I have heard time and time again is ‘I don’t want my neighbours or friends to know.’”

She said rising food prices and the increasing cost of living have significantly increased demand for assistance.

Cenciosi also pointed to financial challenges facing the organization. She said the soup kitchen rents space at the Humboldt Uniplex and had previously sought support from the City of Humboldt.

According to Cenciosi, the city recently agreed to reduce the organization’s rental costs by half. However, she said additional fees are still charged for the use of meeting rooms needed for pantry days and other support programs.

Volunteer recruitment has become another growing concern.

“The generation of volunteerism is slowly aging out or passing, and we have found that the younger generations are either busy with family or earning a living. Volunteers are difficult to find,” Cenciosi said.

“I am 74 years old, and we have volunteers in their 60s, 70s and 80s. It is sad to see that the interest in helping others by volunteering is a dying endeavour.”

The soup kitchen has relied heavily on community support, fundraising and donations. Cenciosi said the organization is not government-funded and has historically received support from Nutrien, BHP, the Knights of Columbus and, at times, CIF.

She said grant opportunities for food relief programs are limited, particularly for smaller communities.

The organization has faced significant financial challenges in recent years. Cenciosi said community donations helped sustain operations through 2025 and into 2026, but support has declined this year.

She said the combination of declining donations and a shrinking volunteer base ultimately led to the decision to shut down.

“So the lack of funds and the shrinking pool of volunteers have resulted in the present decision to close the doors.

“We have no choice, and this decision has not been taken lightly, and it hurts our hearts.”

In a social media announcement, the organization thanked its volunteers, board members, donors and business supporters.