A small takeout eatery called Lonnie’s on Market in downtown Brantford, Ontario, specializes in poutines, burgers, and chicken wings. The restaurant stays open until 3 a.m. multiple nights a week, attracting college and university students seeking late-night meals. However, on select days, Lonnie’s transforms into a soup kitchen, offering free hot meals and distributing clothing to those in need.
Owner Lawrence Xurieb believes that everyone deserves a meal, regardless of their circumstances. For the past three years, Lonnie’s has been providing free meals three nights a week from October to March. Xurieb, along with volunteers, serves up to 150 people each night, braving harsh weather conditions to ensure individuals are fed.
The soup kitchen operates on donations from local businesses, allowing Xurieb to offer meals at a cost of about $2 per person. While kitchen staff are paid to prepare the food, volunteers assist in managing the rest of the operation. Regular patrons like Kim Fitzgerald, who is unhoused, rely on Lonnie’s for meals they wouldn’t otherwise have access to due to rising living costs forcing many into homelessness.
Xurieb has observed an increase in demand at the soup kitchen, especially from families with children. In response, he plans to extend the soup kitchen’s operation throughout the year to continue aiding those in need, recognizing the importance of providing support when there are limited resources available. This commitment has been appreciated by patrons like Fitzgerald, who express their gratitude for the lifeline Lonnie’s provides.