Brian Thompson said cooking lunch Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for people in Kennedy Park is a great way to serve others.

“It’s the best way to meet people one on one, see what goes on in their life and reach out to them,” the eight-year volunteer with the Salvation Army of Lewiston-Auburn said. “It’s good service to God for what He’s given to us.”

In fair weather, the canteen serves lunch on the Pine Street side of the park; in bad weather, meals are served in the Jubilee Center on the opposite side of the park.

Thompson and his two co-workers, Daisie Burpee and Misty Deschaine, collaborate on the meals.

“It’s fun meeting people and helping the community,” Burpee said. “For those who can’t afford to get food all the time, I like to help them. I like to meet new people.”

Deschaine, who serves coffee and doughnuts, said, “I have to be honest. I had to do this for community service, but I’m going to continue to come down here,” because “seeing everyone happy and being able to eat … it makes me have a good day.” 

Lt. Jason Brake, corps officer/pastor of the Salvation Army of Lewiston-Auburn, said between 80 to 120 meals on average are served each of the three days the canteen is stationed at the park.

“The great part is to be able to meet with the people. They have no place to go for lunch, and often their food stamps only go so far,” he said.

“We are a social service agency,” he said. “We offer a social service, an outreach, and we make referrals to help people with what they need.”

The volunteers, he said, “take the gospel message of Jesus seriously. If (people) need a meal, we give them a meal.” If they “need a friend  … we give them a friend and invite them to church on Sundays.”

He said the volunteers “are amazing.  They are dedicated. Their mission is more than just a job, it’s their life’s work.”