Dec. 19 was one of mixed emotions for Virginia Langis.
After 23 years of volunteering at the Blue Door Soup Kitchen, she's hanging up her apron.
“It's sad,” she said, while making sandwiches to feed those seeking the services of the soup kitchen. “We can't stand the drive any more — it's just too hard.”
Langis lives in Capreol. Every Monday without fail, she is joined by Rhea Beck, Florence McInnis and Linda Goddard in volunteering at the soup kitchen. Rounding out the group is Paulette Audette, who has been volunteering at the soup kitchen for 30 years.
“I'm 75, and Florence is 84,” Langis said. “There comes a time.”
When Langis' mother died 23 years ago, she was looking for something to do to keep her busy. She was directed toward the Blue Door Soup Kitchen, and the rest is history. What kept her there all this time?
“The people,” she said. “We've met so many great people. And, there's there's nothing more basic than feeding people who are hungry.”
Langis and her crew have become well known in Capreol as Blue Door Soup Kitchen volunteers. In fact, people often drop off bags full of clothes or financial donations for her to bring to the soup kitchen. And, even though she's retiring, she certainly plans to keep bringing those items into Sudbury to help the less fortunate.
“Everyone wants a job where you can go in, do what you have to do, then go home feeling happy,” Langis said. “Well, this is that job for me. It's not really work when you love what you're doing.”
In 23 years, Langis said she has seen a lot, and has many fond memories.
“For example, there was one gentleman who told us he had a dream that he had given money to a soup kitchen, but he didn't even know what a soup kitchen was. He was a miner, his name is Roger, and he asked guys at the mine what a soup kitchen was. He showed up here to meet everyone, and made a donation. Now, he comes back every year, twice a year, to donate money.”
Bob Johnson, who is on the fundraising committee with Blue Door Soup Kitchen, said all five volunteers will be greatly missed.
“These ladies have been coming every Monday, rain or shine, for more than 20 years,” Johnston said. “We're going to miss them all very deeply. They are really great people we have come to really depend on.”
Blue Door Soup Kitchen has a team of 30 volunteers, two full-time staff members and one part-time staff. It's open Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. And serves anywhere from 200 to 250 people every day. Volunteers serve soup and sandwiches three days a week, and hot meals two days a week.
Being able to keep dedicated volunteers for more than 20 years shows how important people think the service is, Johnston said.
