A service that delivers free hot meals to those in need in Nanaimo is continuing despite being being locked out of the commercial-grade kitchen at its leased premises.
Tanya Hiltz, president of the Wisteria Community Association, said Monday that the group is looking for a new location for Stone Soup, preferably one close to downtown, where many of the people it serves are located.
In the meantime, Helen Samaroo at MGM restaurant has stepped in to make soup and sandwiches daily.
Stone Soup dishes out up to 200 meals per night, Hiltz said. Volunteers drive a van to several locations in the community to provide freshly made soup, as well as sandwiches and other food.
The association has been locked out its kitchen at 308 Fitzwilliam St. since mid-October because of a dispute with the landlord, Hiltz said.
That has meant it’s been unable to put together the approximately 40 hampers it normally hands out monthly to community members, including about six families, said Hiltz, adding no money is owed to the landlord.
The property is owned by a numbered company based in Delta, and managed by NAI Commercial Central Vancouver Island Ltd. in Nanaimo.
Property manager Marianne Stoltz said Monday that she could not comment on the situation.
The association is keen to regain access to its full freezers and pantry, along with its equipment, which is worth about $50,000 and was mostly donated, Hiltz said. “Everything is brand-new. Up to code.”
With help from donations, the kitchen has been fitted with granite countertops where most food preparation was carried out, as well as fridges, freezers, coolers, two stoves, two ovens, a large commercial dishwasher, four hand-washing stations and more, she said.
Problems arose when a past contractor put a lien on the property to recoup $2,000 owed for kitchen installation, said Hiltz, adding she immediately borrowed the money to pay what was owed.
The organization had been short on rent for two months in 2022 but that was paid off earlier, she said.
