Idaho Falls contractors rally behind soup kitchen with free bathroom remodel

IDAHO FALLS – Several local contractors are helping the Idaho Falls Soup Kitchen with a remodel project.

Earlier this week, crews began demolishing the bathroom inside the building at 301 South Boulevard. They’re volunteering time and resources to install a new floor, sink and toilets — a project that would normally cost around $6,000. It’s slated for completion next week.

Soup Kitchen board member Amy Grider brought this to our attention. She tells EastIdahoNews.com she was surprised when the contractors offered to do the project and wanted to recognize them.

“We serve 85-100 people a day and we want patrons to feel loved and come to a place where it’s a nice, welcoming environment. For them to dedicate their time, efforts and money into this is much appreciated,” Grider says.

Construction Solutions is managing the project. Other subcontractors include Nava Dry Wall, McVey Paint, R & S Concrete, Matthews Plumbing, Moonshine Cleaning, and Western Wholesale.

Project Coordinator Kelsey Huston says they’re hosting a charity golf tournament at the Idaho Falls Country Club next month to raise funds for the soup kitchen. In the process of planning that event, Huston says they learned the nonprofit needed a bathroom remodel and they decided to help.

“I said, ‘We’d be more than happy to get that taken care of,'” Huston says.

The company’s golf tournament, which was once an annual event, is making a comeback after six years. Huston says it stems from the team’s desire to be involved in giving back to the community.

She says the soup kitchen “does so much good,” and wanted it to be the beneficiary of their event.

“They’re always in need of support and that’s why I picked them,” Huston says.

The Community Outreach Center, which houses the soup kitchen, has been in operation for 41 years. It got started down the street from its current location in the basement of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Cher Stone and several other ladies started serving soup and sandwiches in a closet size room in 1985.

It moved to its current location in 2004, which made a huge difference in its ability to serve people.

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In 2024, the soup kitchen served its one millionth meal. Stone was present that day and she shared with us her memories of the first day of operation and how far it’s come since then.

“We didn’t serve hot meals because we didn’t have a kitchen. All we had was a coffee pot,” Stone said. “We served peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, a banana, milk and coffee. That was the most nutritious meal we could think of to serve as a cold lunch.”

One guy who lived down the street came to eat lunch that day because he thought the ladies were opening a cafe.

“He was our only client,” Stone recalled with laughter. “It didn’t take long before we had 50 to 100 people.”

Since 2020, volunteers say the need for its services continues to increase.

While there have been minor flooring upgrades through the years, including a remodel to the building in 2004 before the soup kitchen moved in, Grider says there hasn’t been any major upgrades since then, due to lack of funding.

Grider says the board is grateful for those who are helping them with the bathroom project.

“We want our patrons to feel loved, respected and valued and clean, upgraded bathrooms is just a small way to show them we care,” says Grider. “We are hoping to make small improvements as we try to balance the space to serve functional dining needs, food insecurity and social connection.”

Volunteers and donations are always needed. Those who feel inclined to support the soup kitchen can attend the golf tournament at 11611 South Country Club Drive in Idaho Falls on September 15. It will start at 9 a.m.

To inquire about volunteer opportunities, email ifsoupkitchen@gmail.com or call (208) 557-5750.