Kootenay Christian Fellowship and its soup kitchen Our Daily Bread are settling into their new digs at the west end of downtown.
Pastor Jim Reimer says crucial assistance coming from the community helped with the move.
“If it wasn’t for us all working together it wouldn’t be able to happen,” he says. “It just makes your heart warm to know as we give to the community, the community is giving back.”
The congregation moved from their home of over 10 years at 812 Stanley Street where they were tucked between residential properties. Now in the Savoy Lanes building at 520 Falls Street, the church occupies the old Curves Health Club while Our Daily Bread is housed in the old bingo hall.
That hall had no kitchen so one had to be built.
Among the contributors were Columbia Basin Trust who gave $44,000 in grant money for the kitchen while Interior Health donated a cooler, sinks and a prep table from the old Mt. St. Francis. Electrical work was brought up to code by Kootenay Lake Electrical and CGW donated hours and discounted billing on the range hood. Reimer was touched by the generosity.
“I think it’s because people in the community believe in what we’re doing,” he says. “We make a difference in people’s lives… people believe in that and so they want to support us.”
The move happened in two stages last month with boxes being loaded into the SHARE Nelson moving van two days before the fellowship held their first Sunday service on May 26. Our Daily Bread started serving lunch on May 28.
“It was pretty hectic, a whirlwind,” Reimer says.
The pastor was surprised at how a simple thing like changing location threw their well-oiled soup kitchen machine out of whack.
“The first week was quite interesting because we had to relearn everything. The kitchen was different. The line-ups were different. Accessing the food was different. Everything was different,” he says. “But to a person, everyone likes the space. The atmosphere, the location – everybody is really pleased with it.”
As Kootenay Christian Fellowship and Our Daily Bread become more settled, they’re ready to host a grand opening and dedication on Sunday starting at 10:30 a.m.
After a service, there will be a ribbon cutting just after 11:30 a.m. with Nelson city councillor Paula Kiss, MP Alex Atamanenko and Doreen Reimer of the KCF council handling the scissors.
At 11:50 a.m. there will be a tour and refreshments.