David Timothy aka The Soupman (Dallas – Monday)

David Timothy, aka the Soupman, is a saint in his community. He runs the Soup Mobil and has recently opened up several transitional housing programs in the South Dallas area. His soup kitchen is innovative for a few distinct t reasons. First, he goes to the people. The Soupman deals almost exclusively with homeless individuals and meets them in their community. His Soup Mobil has been stopping in the same spot since 2002 which has allowed him to build up quite a rapport with the people in that area. Second, homeless people serve food to others alongside volunteers. It is not about the privileged coming in and giving handouts to the deprived but working side by side to help your neighbor. Finally, the Soupman will be the first to tell you that serving food is not his primary goal; it’s love. “These people need love,” he tells us. “When God said feed his flock, he did not mean just physically.”

This reminds me of Mrs. Niemczak from the Inn at Paradise who was disappointed that we are not a religious group. I recognize the value in love and interaction more and more with each site visit. Sure, people are appreciative when I hand them a bowl of soup or a glass of juice but there is still a divide between us. It is when we talk that I see their eyes light up, a slight smile or even their personalities start to shine. It is simple too; I can ask them how they are doing today or compliment them on their shirt. Mrs. Niemczak and Mr. Timothy are right; while physical needs seem like the most important, it is actually the emotional needs that must come first. It is human contact, attention and even the basic the fact that someone else knows that you exist that makes the biggest difference in someone’s life at the end of the day.


Us, the Soupman and little Matthew who helped us out for the day.

The Soupman has a posse of employees and volunteers that help stream line his process. Everyday vats of soup are cooked in a small kitchen with whatever ingredients that the chef sees fit to use. Everybody then caravans to the meeting point at noonish with Eye of the Tiger blasting from the Soup Mobil to announce our arrival. Volunteers stand by the side as the local crew (the homeless individuals) set up the food line. As Mr. Timothy explained, they know the drill and can do it way faster than us newbies. After that we take our positions and grace is said. Today the line consists of the typical daily vitamin, bags of chips, donuts, a delicious homemade soup, peanut butter sandwiches, ice cream cups (in honor of the 4th of July) and juice. All of the food is donated so the selection really various day to day.


The chaos of set up.

As people move through the line, they are allowed to have one of each thing. The catch is that they are allowed to go through the line as many times as they want until the hour is up or the food runs out. Each day, 600 meals are provided. On this Monday, I think that we served about 150 people. If someone got there early and continued to go through the line for the whole hour, they could easily make it through 5 times. This is a very interesting model and the first of its kind that I have seen so far.

When it is time to go, it is time to go. The Soupman starts warning people ten minutes out that the line will be closing. Then BAM! Before I know it things are disappearing underneath me. Clean-up is a quick and everything quickly gets shoved back into the van. I have a sneaking suspicion that this is to avoid food riots but the message is read loud and clear. People disperse knowing that he will return again tomorrow. Faith is a common bond that holds everyone together in this little community whether it is faith in a higher power or the Soupman.


One happy customer!


For more information please visit the Soupman website at: http://www.soupmobile.org