A charitable organization in downtown Sarnia is preparing to close its doors for good due to financial constraints.
The Grace Cafe and Annex of Sarnia recently announced plans on Facebook to permanently close on Saturday, May 9, after its Mother's Day celebration.
Founder Ginny Tretanier told Sarnia News Today they considered alternative options to closing, but none would have worked.
She said they're sad to close the Sarnia soup kitchen, but if they didn't, it would have threatened operations of its original location in St. Thomas.
"We just can't do it anymore," she said.
The Grace Cafe and Annex opened in Sarnia in September 2024.
Since announcing the closure, Tretanier said guests have been genuinely upset. However, overall, Tretanier said the charity has received "nasty" feedback from some community members.
"It has been a very nasty experience. Our people need us. They are in great need... but it's hard to hand out free stuff," she said.
Tretanier said they start serving a "jump start menu" at 7 a.m., consisting of coffee and snacks and they begin serving soup at 8:30 a.m.
Tretanier said the idea to launch a soup kitchen sparked after seeing empty businesses in St. Thomas. She said for some, the site has been regarded as "their life's refuge."
"We look after our people the best we can, and now it's up to Sarnia to pick up where we left off," she said.
In the meantime, Grace Cafe Sarnia will continue operating this week from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m.
