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September 2, 2022By Carissa Krautscheid
For the past 15 years, Most Holy Trinity Parish has been serving the hungry people of Tucson in a unique way. From November to March, Soup Patrol volunteers roamed the streets in their parish's joyful Souper Van to provide a hot meal to hundreds of people in need every night.
Sadly, this ministry was derailed two weeks ago when the Souper Van was stolen. The van was found, trashed and in pieces, a few days later at a tow-truck facility.
"The van was repainted and all racking inside removed," said Soup Patrol Coordinators, Dave and Kathie. "Subsequently the van was involved in an accident and totaled. We don't know who stole it or why."
The Soup Patrol team expressed sorrow at the theft and vandalism. Most Holy Trinity Parish had planned on starting this winter season's Soup Patrol on November 1.
"When Brother David Buer, OFM, started the program 15 years ago, there were really no other outreach programs in the city," said Father Tom Tureman, SDS.
Father Bill Remmel and the Salvatorians brought this ministry to Most Holy Trinity Parish because they had just built a new, professionally certified kitchen. They were known and praised by the community for following health and safety policies. In more recent years, they formed a collaboration with Caridad Community Kitchen to start providing weekday meals, while parishioners would prepare weekend meals.
In the beginning, the Soup Patrol served hundreds of people every single night. With the increasing presence of other outreach initiatives in Tucson, that number has decreased.
"We fundraised for this particular van at parish festivals," said Fr. Tom. "Volunteers then retrofit a used van to accomodate racks for food storage and distribution - a task that took considerable time and resources to accomplish. Dozens and dozens of people were involved in this ministry. Folks from all over town would pariticpate."
The Soup Patrol volunteers are truly dedicated to the program and mission of this ministry. "Soup Patrol is very much part of our history as a parish," said Fr. Tom. "The volunteers served so well and brillantly. They lived out the Gospel with real dedication."
View the News CoverageSoup Patrol Coordinators:
[email protected]
