Local Soup Kettle to host vaccine clinic June 12 in Elgin

People experiencing chronic homelessness in Elgin deserve the opportunity to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and the volunteers who run the Saturday night Soup Kettle at the Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren want to make sure that happens.

On Saturday, June 12, from 1 to 5 p.m., the church and its Soup Kettle staff will conduct a vaccine clinic at the church. The clinic will be open to all Soup Kettle guests, Tent City residents, and anyone else seeking vaccination. They will receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which requires only one shot.

The church is located at 783 W. Highland Ave. in Elgin. Food and hospitality will be provided to each person who is vaccinated.

Efforts are being made to get the word out to make sure people throughout Elgin who are homeless know about the clinic. Members of the congregation and of the community are encouraged to spread the word. Though the focus is on people who are homeless, the clinic will be open to anyone who wants to be vaccinated.

Volunteers are needed to transport people from downtown locations, to greet guests and monitor wait times, to make snacks and serve food, and to register guests on a laptop and support the healthcare staff.

The Highland Avenue Church is partnering with the Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois Emergency Management Team on this effort.

If you have questions, or if you want to volunteer, call the church office at (847) 741-5124.

The Highland Avenue church has been doing the Saturday night Soup Kettle for more than 30 years. During the pandemic it has been welcoming as many as 85 guests each week, suppling food through drive-up and at socially distanced tables.