Soup Kettle chef cooks up good will at Elgin church

"I've always enjoyed cooking and working at the church's Soup Kettle and it is my way to pay back Elgin - which has been an ideal place to raise a family," said longtime program volunteer and retired high school teacher Carl Flaks.

It's something Flaks has done almost since the time the effort began in the 1980s when some downtown churches, including First Congregational Church which he belongs to, decided to do something permanent about the city's hunger problem, Flaks explained.

The Soup Kettle is about far more than just soup, noted Flaks, who coordinates the program at his church, which takes a turn once a week along with six other congregations. While the churches try to stay in touch with each other on certain matters, each operates in an autonomous fashion, explains Flaks.

Each Wednesday morning Flaks stops by businesses such as Super Target in South Elgin, which donates various baked goods to the program. Other commodities used in the kitchen come from the Northern Illinois Food Bank, and the All People's Interfaith Food Pantry who Flaks said the church shares resources with.

The C.R.O.P. Walk, participated in by a number of Elgin people each year, also provides funding for the program. The Elgin Cooperative Ministries, a multidenominational association of churches, has had a long time connection with the undertaking.

Joining Flaks in the weekly undertaking, which begins with the food preparation early each Wednesday morning, are church members Mary Hill and Bonnie Turk.

"I enjoy working with Carl very much," said Turk.

"We make a good team," added Hill.

Flaks said credit for the Soup Kettle's earlier success also belongs to church member Shirley Hokenson, who held the position before him.

"What is served pretty much depends on what is available," said Flaks. Pasta dishes, spaghetti and macaroni and cheese are regular menu items.

Potatoes are very affordable and are served at almost every meal, explains Flaks.

"I just got a big supply of chicken, so we'll be eating chicken a lot over the next couple of months," he chuckled.

Unlike many soup kettles, the dinner at First Congregational Church is served by wait staff. Flaks said this adds more dignity to the meal compared with a cafeteria line which treats people more impersonally.

Following the saying of grace, volunteers - almost all of whom are from First Congregational Church - bring the food to the tables and the guests pass it around. Students from Elgin Academy also regularly assist as volunteers.

"There is usually enough food for seconds for those who want it. The dinner usually ends with a dessert. Once a month we sing to everyone who is having a birthday that month - an idea begun by program person Mary Hill," said Flaks.

Many of the regular guests are single men, but there are women sometimes too. Occasionally, there are some families as well. The number of people varies each week from about 35 up to 60 guests. There seems to be very little difference in whether it is summer or winter.

Since its inception Flaks said the First Congregational Church Soup Kettle has served over 90,000 individuals.

"Some of the guests are people I even remember from the first years I worked," he added.

On the nights that the Soup Kettle is not at First Congregational Church, it rotates among six other churches. These include First United Methodist Church, Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Church of the Brethren and the Evangelical Free Church.

"A community is only as strong as its members. My strength is cooking and I feel I make a difference helping other people by sharing this talent at the Soup Kettle," said Flaks.

About this series

"Someone to be Thankful for" is a holiday series of stories focusing on the unsung heroes in our Fox Valley and Tri-Cities communities. If you know someone who deserves recognition, email sklovstad@dailyherald.com.