By GLYNIS HART
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CLAREMONT – Santa Claus made a stop at the soup kitchen Thursday night, which meant some kids got early Christmas presents. Although a few little ones were scared of the man in the red suit, others were pleased and a little dazzled by Santa’s assurances that they’ve been good this year.
But Santa knew what he was talking about.
“He’s very familiar with all the kids,” said Cindy Stevens. “It’s Albert Marro. He’s been a long time volunteer with the soup kitchen. I’ve been here three years and he was here a long time before me.”
Marro puts on his Santa suit every year, and he looks the part. “He’s got one of those personalities,” said Stevens. “He seems like he could be grumpy, but he’s a big teddy bear, and the kids sense that. He serves here every Thursday night.”
The dining hall was resplendent in red tablecloths and poinsettia decorations, with volunteers sporting Santa hats, reindeer horns, and other festive attire. The aroma of ham and mashed potatoes, biscuits and coffee wafted over the tables. The low voices of old men mingled with the high ones of children; mothers and grandmothers seemed to be directing their families under the hubbub.
“We’ve been all day getting this place ready,” said Stevens. A group of almost 30 volunteers helped put on the holiday dinner, set up the Christmas tree and prepare the gifts for children. Every year, the soup kitchen gives out handmade hats and mittens and gifts for the kids. This year they also had handmade wooden toys to put in the kids’ stockings, and another generous donation made it possible to buy brand-name sweatshirts for kids around middle school age.
Those were the kids who looked a little embarrassed to be seen with Santa, but posed for their parents’ sake.
“We try to make it as homey as possible,” said Stevens. “Everyone is welcome, no questions asked.”
The Claremont Soup Kitchen is an independent entity with no state or federal funding. “It’s all private and grant funded,” said Priscilla Hull.
Typically, the food pantry (downstairs) serves approximately 400 families a month. That number rises around the holidays.
“The best thing about working here is the clients,” said Stevens. “My favorite part is the clients, and developing a relationship with them.”
Hull echoed that. “A huge part is the kids. I think we all love to see the kids come and they’re always welcome.”
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