In the middle of Downtown Flint holds a community surrounded by the curse pull of poverty. For many low-income families, the topic of homelessness is effective to the community, casting a shadow over their daily lives. As struggles are near, hope emerges from the protective walls of the Catholic Charities North End Soup Kitchen.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner, the kitchen has the lights on ready to serve the community in need, offering a warm place to relax away from violence and a hot meal to those in need. Yet, behind all of the positives there is a strong hold of a complex web of challenges and contradictions. While the Catholic Charities have steadfastly supported the community since 1982, their efforts have not been without setbacks.
One upsetting concern is the major problem of “soup kitchen hopping”as Rob Quincy says is a problem within itself.“90% are not truly homeless, they tell me they go north to south so they can get different meals.” Quincy said. A Troubling trend that sees individuals traveling between the North and South locations. As the number of visitors constantly changes at the North End facility, the crucial funding that sustains its operations will drop. As the North End Soup Kitchen is reliant on government support as it is non-profit, this shows us a threat to their business longevity.
Within a hectic kitchen, volunteers must handle quite a few with conflicting emotions and moral quandaries. Are those seeking assistance truly homeless, or are some simply taking advantage of free meals while employed/homeowners? That is up for interpretation of what is seen by one’s eye, leaving volunteers to navigate the delicate balance between compassion and criticism.
Despite the issues, the North End Soup Kitchen remains a vital lifeline for many in Flint. Similar to people like Debby Wright“I have been in this position but I changed my whole life around 13 years ago, I am clean off of drugs and volunteer here twice a month to thank the community,” Wright said. It serves as a lifeline of the city’s bravery in the face of adversity, where acts of kindness and generosity stand strong during the harsh realities of poverty. As the community overcomes these challenges, the North End Soup kitchen stands stable to the endurance of solidarity and hope for the City of Downtown Flint.
ABOUT ME
Hello. My name is Brenda Vataj. I am a first-hand photojournalist for the “North End Soup Kitchen.”
In addition, I am significantly invested in my work as a journalist. This project has been far from easy growing up on the East Side in the Clinton Township area, where homelessness and poverty are irrelevant, to go to the north side of Downtown Flint, where that is the main topic. It has been a project entirely out of my comfort zone. I got a lot of stares and felt out of place until I got to know the why of the whole organization.
I learned what is out in the world and how some people may suffer, which I never think about daily; it was a humbling experience. I made connections with people I would have never met if it wasn’t for journalism. I approached this project calmly the first day I scoped out the place, talked to locals, and was at the soup kitchen full time. In the days following, I saw homeless and non homeless individuals, some addicted to drugs and some with low incomes for the economy.
Regardless of the uncomfortable situations, I am dedicated to this project to get all the possible information and help the readers and viewers feel the negative or positive.
L4 North End Soup Kitchen- Brenda Vataj 