Neither pandemic nor flood could shut down the St. Augustine Soup Kitchen in Montpelier, though flooding in the church basement — where the operation had been located — has caused it to be relocated temporarily.

Weekly meals have been served at the Christ Church Episcopal hall on Fridays, as parishioners of St. Augustine’s continue to provide hot meals to eat in or take out.

Adapting to circumstances beyond their control, they are currently teaming up with Feed Every Need, a non-profit organization helping to supply prepared meals to people in need.

Lisa Burr, one of the founders of the non-profit, said free prepared meals are an integral part of fighting hunger. “We have a problem in Vermont with food insecurity. A prepared food option is vital.”

With a donation of cheese from Cabot Cheese, donations from parishioners, and a good price from Woods Lodge in Northfield (that makes the mac and cheese with the donated cheese), the meals are continuing.

And a $3,000 grant from the Vermont Catholic Community Foundation helps keep the meals available.

The St. Augustine Soup Kitchen operation serves 60 meals a week at the Episcopal church; any left overs go to group homes, street outreach or shelters.

“The people are thrilled to get the food,” said Deb McCormick, co-coordinator with Bonnie Giuliani.

During the disastrous flooding in the capital city earlier this year, St. Augustine volunteers handed out the meals outdoors. “People have really pulled together through everything,” McCormick said.

Parishioner Charles Pelletier began volunteering at the soup kitchen one Lent as a charity, and just stayed on. His wife, Kathy, volunteers because she likes helping people.

As the houses of worship that had been running meal programs determine how they will proceed in the future when post-flood decisions are put into place, there is a consideration for there to be a central kitchen for all to use for their programs, McCormick reported. But she plans that her group will return to serving meals at the Catholic church once renovations are complete.

“God keeps providing,” McCormick said.

—Originally published in the Winter 2023 issue of Vermont Catholic magazine.