Donations save Saint John soup kitchen

The financial crisis has been averted at one of Saint John's longest-running soup kitchens, Romero House.

In just three weeks, people and businesses donated the $30,000 needed to keep eight paid staff members in place and meals coming out of the kitchen.

The campaign drive was headed by former Saint John Liberal MP Paul Zed. He is also leading a committee to plan for long-term funding for Romero House.

Carolyn McNulty, executive director and founder of Romero House, put out a distress call to the community in mid-July. At the time, she said if the soup kitchen's financial situation didnt improve, she would have to lay off all eight staff members.

The organization, which serves up to 300 people every day, also operates with about 100 volunteers.

At a news conference Wednesday, McNulty expressed her gratitude for the communitys help, and announced that a sustainability fund has been set up to ensure Romero House won't find itself in the same kind of cash crunch next year.

An event will be held each year to raise funds, she said. The first a mystery lunch will be held Aug. 27 under a tent outside Romero House.

"The event will take different kinds of themes, but there will be one major event in early spring. Were doing this now because we need this sustainability fund to start. But, if it were maintained each year by the community, there would be less stress on us," McNulty said.

"Were going to do it anyway, as long as I have breath in me."

For the mystery lunch, Colin Sifton, executive chef from the Hilton Saint John, will cook a special meal made entirely from donated food.

"When we say 'mystery,' it's exactly that. The first 50 people might get sheperd's pie, a salad, something else," Sifton said Wednesday.

"The next 50 people might get pulled pork.... In the spirit of Romero House, you never know what you're going to get."

Tickets for the event are $50 and are tax deductible.