Last year's Fill the Jeep (Submitted photo/Humboldt A&W)

By Ben Tompkins

Humboldt A&W

Second annual Fill the Jeep back to help Humboldt Soup Kitchen

Dec 15, 2022 | 3:55 PM

For the second consecutive year, the A&W in Humboldt will be holding its Fill the Jeep campaign.

The event will benefit the Humboldt Soup Kitchen, as they aim to serve local families in need, this holiday season.

“We are trying to give a good Christmas to people who live in Humboldt, who are from the vulnerable sector,” explained Kari Cenciosi, program coordinator for the Humboldt Soup Kitchen. “We have many single-parent families, seniors, and even double-parent families that are just not making ends meet.”

This also includes children, as 49 of the current 150 on their list, are kids.

From noon to 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16, people are encouraged to swing by the A&W to donate as much as possible.

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Things like shampoo, soaps, toiletries, puzzle books, toys, gift cards, food, cash donations, and anything of that nature will all be accepted.

“Anything to make Christmas merry for those in need,” said Humboldt A&W manager, Colleen Cornelius.

“Everybody deserves to have a Christmas and the soup kitchen doesn’t ask how much money people make or anything of that nature, they just help because people need help.”

Jolly ol’ Saint Nick and Mrs. Claus will also be in attendance to help the cause.

Families will get the chance to have pictures taken with Santa, right on the spot, while anyone who donates will automatically be put into a draw.

Cornelius added she hopes for this to continue every year, getting bigger and better every year, as this is what the holidays are about.

“I think Christmas is about giving, not receiving, and maybe making a difference in someone’s life in the smallest possible way, we can give them a reason for hope. I think that as a community, we all have the means to do that.”

As for the soup kitchen itself, it’s been deemed as their busiest time of the year.

Cenciosi told northeastNOW the demand has only gone up this year, and it’s getting harder and harder to support families in need.

“The need has increased probably by 50 to 75%, and the cost of living is so high right now. I used to be able to feed 100 people a week for about $200, and now it’s $350. One, because we have more clients now and two, because food is so unaffordable,” she said.

According to her, without the support from the community, there simply wouldn’t be a soup kitchen.

Especially now, she’s more than grateful for all the graciousness being displayed.

“We can’t even put into words how grateful we are, without the support of the individual, community-minded, compassionate human beings that donate to us, as well as the businesses locally who support us, we would be having a rough time ourselves… we need them.”

“I wish everybody a joyful, happy, and Merry Christmas… It doesn’t matter what your social statuses are or how much money you make, Christmas time is for everybody.”

Gabby Shukin and 105 CJVR will be live and on location, throughout the entire day.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8