Portage soup kitchen hopes to serve more days as demand grows

After a winter rebrand and months of steady service, the Highway Community Kitchen in Portage la Prairie is aiming to take the next step—adding more days to its weekly meal service. But to make that happen, organizers say they need more helping hands.

Currently open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays out of the Highway Pentecostal Church, the volunteer-run kitchen serves a hot lunch to dozens of residents each day it operates. Now, with demand on the rise and the need ever present, Carol Lang, the kitchen’s co-coordinator and treasurer, says they hope to extend their services to five days a week.

"Soup kitchens play an important role in the community, making sure that people can count on a good meal in a clean, welcoming space. We’d love to expand, but we need more people to make it happen," Lang explains.

Lang estimates they have about eight active volunteers at the moment. Ideally, she says, they’d like to form four or five rotating teams of four members to cover five days of service.

“The volunteers help with everything from preparing and serving food to cleaning up. We check up on folks and offer conversation. There's a place for everyone here because we find jobs that suit all abilities and comfort levels. You can learn as you go," she notes.

The kitchen is open from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those interested in volunteering can get in touch through the kitchen’s Facebook page, call 204-872-3314, or simply drop by during open hours to learn more.

Lang says the need for soup kitchens like this one is growing in communities like Portage.

“People are hungry more than just three days a week, and by opening our doors more often, we can make sure more people are fed and help ease the pressure on other services in town. Every day we're open, we meet a basic need."

Run entirely on donations and community support, the Highway Community Kitchen continues to rely on public generosity. While food donations remain vital, the kitchen also faces less obvious costs like dish soap, cleaning supplies, and kitchen staples.

“We depend on our community to keep this going," she adds. "If you’ve ever wondered what kind of difference a small act can make, just come see us. We serve food, yes, but we also offer warmth, conversation, and a sense of community. Even just showing up can be powerful.”

As summer continues, the Highway Community Kitchen hopes to fill more stomachs and more volunteer spots, so no one in Portage has to go hungry.