Boynton nonprofit has served more than 3 million meals over the years

The Soup Kitchen of Boynton Beach recently celebrated its 30th anniversary gala and fundraiser at Benvenuto Restaurant in Boynton Beach.

The nonprofit, which has served more than 3 million meals since its inception in 1983, started out in a van serving soup and sandwiches.

In 1997, itmoved to its current location on the grounds of the Caridad Center, 8645 W. Boynton Beach Blvd.

The soup kitchen, run by Enrique Zuanetto, 68, a former volunteer and past board member, is open 365 days a year.

“It’s awonderful job. I’m very proud,” Zuanetto said.

He said the kitchen has a $300,000 annual operating budget and is an all-volunteer effort. It is supported by donations from residents and the local business community.

Ona recentWednesday, the regular volunteer crew was busy giving out food, cooking and cleaning up.

Led by Ann Tannen, 89, a 27-year volunteer, the closely bonded crew — Elaine Finkelstein, a 29-year volunteer, MonetteHoffer, Carol Givelli, Marianne Lowe, Sylvia Hechtman and Aurelia Colom— is devoted to each other and to their clients.

“Wewant to feed theworld,” Tannen said. “People who give of themselves are wonderful. We love each other.”

Finkelstein, of Delray Beach, added, “There are no prima donnas here. Everyone pitches in.”

One of the kitchen’s patrons, West Palm Beach residentMartha Jungbluth, originally from Ecuador, has been looking for a job sinceFebruary. She said she needs the food to make ends meet. “I needwork,” she said. Steve Koch, one of the cooks, has volunteered his time two days a week for the past three years. When he’s not cooking for hundreds, Koch, a professional chef, works in a boatyard in Deerfield Beach.

“I like to cook, so I figure I can give back a little,” he said.

The soup kitchen also offers parenting classes and provides diapers and baby food to those in need through its Taking Care of Our Babies program.

Last Christmas, the soup kitchen delivered presents to more than 700 children, each of whom received two or three toys.

“We’re proud of the fact thatwe could give more than one toy to each child,” Zuanetto said. “And, at Thanksgiving, we gave out 700 frozen turkeys.”

HeleneBarnett, a former administrator for Maryland state police, and her husband, Howard Rubin, a retired school administrator from New York, have been volunteering for many years.

“The soup kitchen is our baby,” Helene Barnett said. “We work there together and enjoy it. It’s heartwarming. Serving others does your heart good, and when you give someone a meal and see their face light up, it’s an unbelievable feeling.”

For more information, call 561-732-7595 or visit Thesoupkitchen.org.