By Bailey Wilkins
Poverty is a world-wide problem, from Africa to India, and even in America’s backyard. Here in Flint, it can be seen on almost every street corner. However, there are people trying to help.
One of those people is Cassie DeLong. DeLong, a 21-year-old Flint native, volunteers at least once at week at Flint’s North End Soup Kitchen.
“It is a really rewarding experience,” says DeLong. “You get to know these people and care about them individually. There are many people that come back again and again, but there are always new faces.”
In the recent tough economic times, DeLong says she has noticed an increase in visitors to the soup kitchen.
“Over the last few years, we have seen about a 50% increase in the number of people around mealtime. There used to be new people coming in and older visitors who stopped coming. There doesn’t seem to be as much rotation anymore.”
To accommodate the increase in patrons, Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties, which runs The North End Soup Kitchen, has included a second daily meal. The second meal and recent renovations to the kitchen were made possible by a $160,000 grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. DeLong is proud of what the soup kitchen is doing, but it is a bittersweet moment.
“I love meeting these people and knowing that we can make a difference in their lives,” says DeLong. “But at the same time, I hope there will be a day when I’m not needed.”
North End Soup Kitchen
735 E. Stewart Avenue
Flint, Michigan 48503
810-785-6911
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