Bill Ginther, The Lethbridge Soup Kitchen Executive Director moving donations to the kitchen on Oct. 15 with his wife , Joan Ginther. Photo by Noreve Belarmino.

The Lethbridge Soup Kitchen started on Oct. 1, 1984, when a group of women observed several homeless men sitting on the steps of a local church and started serving them warm soup. These group of women then rented spaces and facilities where more people came and over time of continued service, they were able to create the “Lethbridge Soup Kitchen.” 

Today, with the help of donations from local and community businesses along with their 700 volunteers, the Soup Kitchen carries out their mission in serving breakfast every day and a full meal every evening to their guests.

Behind this act of kindness is Bill Ginther, the Executive Director and his partner for life, Joan Ginther. 

They are known to their guests as Mr. and Mrs. Bill, and together they oversee the well-being and comfort of everyone who walks inside the building. 

“My goal is to provide a place where we can restore and enhance their dignity,” said Ginther.  

Carter Eli was a previous guest at the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen. He has experienced being homeless multiple times at a very young age. He was 13-years-old when his family first faced financial problems and the Soup Kitchen welcomed them with warmth. Now at the age of 17 he is working hard to have a bright future. Eli said he appreciates everything the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen does for the community and he will never forget the kindness they showed him and his family. 

The Lethbridge Soup Kitchen is comprised of people with a goal to help the unhoused population of Lethbridge. Furthermore, they symbolize the importance of being a family and recreating that warmth through celebrating holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

“If you don’t have a family, or your family doesn’t want you, or they’ve all died, or they’ve moved away, this becomes your family,” Ginther said.