Our Mission
The Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen is a non-denominational, non-profit Christian organization that opens its doors to all who come with no questions asked. Our mission is to demonstrate the love of Christ by providing meals to the hungry of our community. We will seek to treat each guest as if he or she were Christ Himself. Through this act of love we hope to provide spiritual and emotional as well as physical sustenance. Our ultimate aim is to facilitate within our guests a genuine encounter with Christ.
While Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen recognizes the vital importance of providing basic nourishment to those who are hungry -- much more is needed. Together with the solidarity and commitment of our staff and volunteers, we strive to be a gateway to positive change in the lives of the people we serve. In our commitment to combating hunger and to announcing the Good News of the Kingdom of God in Christ, we provide the support and respect guests need to become self-sufficient and regain hope for the future in the context of Christian love.
Our History
Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen began in 1987 at St. Francis Church in Brainerd, MN. It soon evolved into a ministry of the wider church community of the Brainerd Lakes Area and moved to a new location in downtown Brainerd.
In 1997 the Soup Kitchen lost its downtown home and was in danger of closing its doors. The congregation of Temple Baptist Church, after reading about the Soup Kitchen's need for a new home, and after prayerful consideration, decided to open the doors of its Fellowship Hall. The Soup Kitchen has continued to operate from its present home since then. Volunteers come to the Soup Kitchen from more than 40 churches and service groups throughout the community on a regular basis. Each day they plan the menu, prepare and serve the food and clean up the kitchen and serving area. Pastor Bob Evans has served as the manager of the Soup kitchen since 1998.
Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen has been a faith-based organization from its inception. We were born and continue to live in dependence upon God and His people to continue our work.