This time of year a barbecued burger for most people is nothing special, but for a group of Soupateria patrons, Saturday’s lunch was a gourmet delight.
That’s because nearly two dozen TELUS employees family and friends turned up at the Orchard Avenue building with a grill and all the fixins’ as their way of giving back.
“I can’t remember the last time I ever had anything barbecued, might have been a hot dog but this is just delicious, really good,” said Ben who was among the many people lined up at the outdoor station and was on his way back for seconds.
Inside other volunteers wearing their purple and white T-shirts with the words “We Give Where We Live” were working out of the kitchen giving out desert and other goodies.
“This is actually the fifth year with the soup kitchen, helping the needy and to help the wonderful volunteers. It’s good to help them,” said TELUS spokesman Brian Wilman during a break from the grill work. “We see lots of different people in need sometimes they go a few days without meals and it’s very rewarding to help give back to our community.
“Coming in and seeing these people gives you a different perspective, maybe. On the street you just kind of look away, but when you’re here, you get to talk to them, to spend a little bit of time with them. They’re very appreciative and this was kind of a treat for them.”
The Penticton TELUS workers are part of the 34,000 team members who participate across Canada in over 2,000 volunteer activities as part of the Telus Days of Giving between May 1 and June 30.
Since 2000 TELUS employees have contributed over $525 million and nearly nine million hours in support of charities and grassroots organizations.
The Soupateria volunteers work throughout the year helping feed a cross-section of the community, young and old and everyone in between, ranging from single mothers in need to the very elderly and those with physical, emotional and mental challenges.
Those who come to the facility are not judged by those who help provide for them but instead are treated with compassion and respect as the facility’s mandate dictates.
“It’s especially rewarding to give back where we live,” said Wilman.”We all live here and we give back to our community, that’s what it’s all about.”
