Founders of Rexburg Soup Kitchen want to provide food and other assistance for those in need

REXBURG – The Rexburg Soup Kitchen is opening April 2 inside the Veterans of Foreign Wars building at 480 West 2nd North.

The nonprofit will offer take-away lunches for those in need. It will ultimately be funded by donations from the community, but several organizations are coming together to help it get up and running. Kainoa’s Hawaiian Grill, along with Masala Indian Cuisine and Madison Health will contribute the initial weekly meals.

On February 18th, Westmark Credit Union donated $1,000 to soup kitchen founder David Merrill.

Merrill established the soup kitchen to help the “working poor” of Madison County. Two-thirds, or 66% of the county fall in that category, according to information from a national research project called ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed).

“Madison County is the highest in the state (for the number of people) employed and working, but still struggling to meet rent, food, transportation and medical costs,” Merrill says.

Offering a free meal is just part of the Rexburg Soup Kitchen’s mission. Its motto comes from Luke in the New Testament, which says “Fill the hungry with good things.”

The idea is to connect those in need to a variety of free community resources. Housing and utility assistance are among those resources, along with medical, dental and immunization, SNAP, WIC and food pantries. Legal services and employment training are also available.

“Caring for the poor and needy is a large part of our Christian mandate,” Merrill says. “If you’re hungry enough to come in for a free meal, there’s probably some other areas in your life that could use some assistance. We want to make sure you’re aware of what’s available.”

Courtesy photo

‘Not a handout (but) a hand up’

Merrill moved to Rexburg in 2015. He retired in 2018 from a 24-year career as an economist in the computer engineering industry.

A variety of experiences throughout his life informed him of the plight of those who live in or encounter financial and material hardships.

In 2005, Merrill was serving as leader of a congregation in his church when two hurricanes hit the Gulf Coast. During those disasters, he saw different forms of government assistance firsthand. It took the form of thousands of dollars in gift and debit cards.

Witnessing this up close prompted Merrill to do something to help those who are struggling in eastern Idaho. That’s how the Rexburg Soup Kitchen was born.

“The soup kitchen is not a handout. It’s a hand up,” he says. “We are helping you up from a low point in your life and if we can give you a warm smile and some encouragement … and make sure you’ve got some food, (we’re happy to do it).”

Those who’d like to support Merrill in his efforts can visit the soup kitchen’s Facebook group or website. More information about volunteer opportunities is available here.