Free soup meal Saturday at east-side cafe

Thu, Nov 19, 2009    to del.icio.us

Rainy Houle says she's long wanted to give people the gift of a meal, and the manager of a Grand Haven restaurant says that's the inspiration for Saturday's Loaf and Slurp.

"I always thought about it and wanted to do it, and this is the year to do it," said Houle, manager of Rainy Days Cafe, 121 N. Beechtree St.

The restaurant will be offering a free meal of soup and bread from 4-7 p.m. Saturday.

A donation of a canned good or other nonperishable item is encouraged, but not necessary for the meal, Houle said. The donations will be given to The People Center of Spring Lake and the Love INC Tri-Cities food pantry.

The meals will be served at Rainy Day Cafe, which is owned by Houle's sister, Adonna Fowler; and next door in the Spotlight Dance Academy parking lot under a heated tent.

Houle said the free meals are a way to help the community during a sour economy, with job losses and tight budgets.

"For the holidays, a lot of people are strapped, worried about paying for everything," she said.

For more information, call the restaurant at 842-1944.