Operators of a Surrey pop-up soup kitchen say they have received a warning from the owner of the plot of land where they’ve set up shop.
Erin Schulte is part of a non-denominational group that serves free home-cooked meals near 135a St. and 106 Ave. in Whalley. The owner of the land lets the group use it every second Sunday to feed those in need. The kitchen is adamant about cleaning up before and after they serve meals. That’s why organizer Erin Schulte says she was surprised when they heard from the landowner.
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“He received a letter last week just stating that something was going on on his property–garbage, overgrowth, people serving food–and he basically just begged me to stop serving because he was going to get fined,” said Schulte.
READ MORE: Organizers of Surrey soup kitchen given the cold shoulder over Thanksgiving weekend
A city representative was unable to speak on camera, but told Global News the pop-up kitchen isn’t the problem. They say the city’s issue is with the landowner. However, the whole event left the kitchen members not knowing where to serve the up to 150 people who rely on their meals.
In the end the landowner let the group use the plot for the 50 minutes it needed to do its work, but the issue has left a bad taste in the mouths of organizers.
“There have been a lot of hurdles, whether it’s been Fraser Health, it’s been the city or it’s been funding,” said Schulte. “But all in all it’s always been about the people down here and I like to think that it continues to be that. It’s a solid group of ladies that continue to come down here and give from their hearts.
-with files from Jennifer Palma
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