Hoping someone cares

Noaki Schwartz

Karrin misses her Roller-blades. The 9-year-old also worries about her

aunt, is concerned about her dad’s missing tools and wishes she could buy

her mom new plates. Three months ago, after her family’s motor home was

broken into, they moved to Costa Mesa.

Losing all of their possessions was just the start in a long line of

events that eventually landed the entire family at Someone Cares Soup

Kitchen, waiting for a hot meal.

“It’s been a Godsend. A lot of times we can’t make ends meet and everyone

here is so nice,” said Dore Wilson, Karrin’s mother. “They don’t make you

feel bad.”

Wilson has already planned to have the family’s Christmas meal at the

soup kitchen. And Karrin is particularly excited about visiting Santa on

Dec. 24.

But this is precisely what worries manager George Neureuther.

More than 1,500 excited children are expected to show up at the center to

receive a present from Santa, but so far the soup kitchen has collected

less than a third of the gifts necessary for all of the children.

“We need new toys for all ages, infants to teenagers,” Neureuther said,

adding that apart from stuffed animals, staff would love to receive

dolls, trucks, puzzles and other presents.

Community members can also make donations earmarked for Christmas toys,

he said.

Someone Cares Soup Kitchen was started in 1986 by Merle Hatleberg, who at

the time was working for a senior program. She noticed a constant flow of

young people coming to her door who were hungry but didn’t qualify as

seniors. While she often slipped food to them, it troubled her so deeply

that she started the soup kitchen out of her own pocket.

The soup kitchen now feeds more than 200 people a day. Serving hot,

nutritious food requires about $100,000 a year to keep the kitchen

running.

“We look forward to it,” Wilson said about her family’s daily visit. “The

[kind] atmosphere really means a lot. It’s like family -- you don’t feel

like you’re intruding.”

The holiday meals and visits from Santa are especially meaningful for

both staff and visitors. Families are welcomed to a warm, decorated room

and a full Christmas dinner.

While adults get practical gifts like toothbrushes and toothpaste, Santa

gives what is for many of the children their only Christmas present.

“Last year some people gave radios and one shop even gave us 50 pairs of

Roller-blades,” Neureuther said.

And while Karrin may not get a new pair to replace her stolen skates,

she’s still excited about this Christmas.

“Me, my mom, brothers and dad will all be together,” she said.

FYI

WHAT: Toy donations for Someone Cares Soup Kitchen

WHEN: In time for Santa’s visit on Dec. 24

WHERE: Bring or mail new, unwrapped toys to the soup kitchen. Checks are

acceptable and can be designated to purchase toys. The soup kitchen is at

720 W. 19th St., Costa Mesa.