Fundraiser aims to help struggling North Bay soup kitchen

North Bay steps up to help struggling soup kitchen Community groups and members of the public raised more than $11,000 at an event Sunday to help the Gathering Place in North Bay.

The Italian social hub – the Davedi Club in North Bay -- hosted a fundraiser dinner Sunday in support of the Gathering Place, a soup kitchen that is struggling to keep feeding its clients.

As the soup kitchen faces a financial crisis, community groups and the public are stepping up to help the Gathering Place fulfill its mission.

“The reaction of the community has been … very gratifying,” said Peter Gregory, the Gathering Place’s board chair.

A Sunday night charity dinner at the Davedi Club drew more than 600 people, along with numerous take-out orders. In total, more than $11,000 in donations were collected.

“We’re a community-minded organization and we like to help the citizens of North Bay with ... special projects,” said Sandro Cipparrone, manager of the Davedi Club.

“It blows our minds how many people are coming out and supporting us,” Gregory added.

“The support is coming from the citizens but also the corporations, as well. There were a lot of tables sold last night.”

Last week, the Gathering Place announced it had to scale back the number of meals it provides each week and also laid off a handful of staff members.

The financial troubles are due to a decline in donations, a spike in the cost of food, more people coming in for meals and tax issues.

“We’re going to pay off some of the bills now and some of the wages are expensive,” Gregory said.

“That’ll help us through. We need to cover payroll.”

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The board said in the wake of the cuts and reduction of services, there has been an outpouring of support from the community, from an uptick in donations to calls from the community.

The Gathering Place now is hoping to see the city step up and provide additional financial support to ensure the doors stay open.

“I think it’s opened their eyes as to what has to happen,” Gregory said.

“We can’t keep our doors open if we don’t get the support and I believe the citizens are supporting us very well.”

Gregory is hoping more fundraising events can be scheduled to help them through this crisis.