Champaign Soup Kitchen Looks to Re-Locate by September

Operators of a Champaign soup kitchen say they'll be at a new location by next month. A volunteer with St. Jude Catholic Worker House says limited space and an overflow crowd have prompted their steering committee to look elsewhere.

Capacity for the soup kitchen is 24, but 60 to 80 people have been coming on busy days, forcing many to wait in line. The kitchen is already closed during August for maintenance. Volunteer Chris Watson says the house's steering committee hopes to pinpoint a new facility soon, but nothing's on the table right now. "We're wanting to take that and really find a space that will serve us the best as far as space and concerns of safety and noise,' says Watson. "But also kind of keeping that foundation and wanting it to be a personal and caring environment." The St. Jude steering committee will discuss alternate sites at a meeting Saturday. Watson says it may even consider a temporary home for the soup kitchen, and passing out sack lunches if necessary.

He says a change in location has little to do with disruptions caused by some people using the kitchen. As for the St. Jude house itselt, Watson says some restructuring will take place, but he says the home will continue to serve as a hospitality center, with volunteers on hand.