Bill Ginther takes part in the dedication service for the newly-expanded Lethbridge Soup Kitchen. (Image Credit: Bill Ginther)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge Soup Kitchen holds dedication service for expanded facility

Jan 26, 2026 | 12:37 PM

A local non-profit organization is now better-equipped to serve those in need.

The Lethbridge Soup Kitchen recently opened its expanded facility and held a dedication service on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026.

Executive Director Bill Ginther says the service was an important reminder of why they do what they do.

“We had decided, because of who we are as an organization, it was really important to dedicate our new building to the purpose of the work that we do, and that is on behalf of our Lord and Saviour. We do our work because it’s something that we’re told to do, and we follow what our scriptures tell us,” says Ginther.

He explains that, as the next-door Lethbridge Wellness Shelter and Stabilization Unit wrapped up its own expansion in 2025, they too had to grow.

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By raising the shelter’s capacity from 111 people to around 200, Ginther anticipated an increase in demand for their services.

In 2025, the non-profit served just under 156,000 hot meals to those in need.

That is an increase of around 15,000 meals (11 per cent) compared to 2024 and 50,000 (49 per cent) from 2023.

“We’re quite routinely seeing upwards of 200 people, or more, per meal, and we do that three times a day, so you can see how the numbers kind of balloon very quickly,” says Ginther. “The need is there, and we’re there to provide for people who can’t provide for themselves.”

The newly-expanded Lethbridge Soup Kitchen has a larger dining room and more storage for donated food, as well as a drive-on weigh scale and better food drop-off facilities.

The project cost approximately $500,000, and Ginther was proud to announce that they did not utilize any taxpayer dollars.

He says the Soup Kitchen received a tremendous amount of support from the community, and he is grateful to everyone who contributed.

The group received just over two million pounds worth of donated food in 2025 and was able to distribute 1.8 million pounds of that to 32 other agencies throughout the city.

Ginther’s one ask from the community is that they show more compassion to those who are struggling. He says that, while the majority of their clientele are unhoused, there is a growing number of people who have jobs but cannot make ends meet.

READ MORE: Lethbridge stepped up to support Soup Kitchen during surging demand in 2025

Community members take part in the dedication service for the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen’s expansion. (Image Credit: Bill Ginther)

The expanded storage facility at the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen. (Image Credit: Bill Ginther)