The Best Place Where You Will Never Eat

By: Mary Harris

The name has been known in the City of Barrie for over 110 years. Twice a day, there’s a long line-up to get in, most customers are regulars and many eat both lunch and dinner there. The address is 16 Bayfield Street. When you take a look around you may realize you have arrived at the soup kitchen at The Salvation Army’s Bayside Mission.

Fresh Meals

Every morning bright and early at 5:00 a.m., the cooks at Bayside Mission prepares breakfast for the 45 residents of the men’s shelter who live on the second floor. From cereal to pancakes, the residents are served with fresh and delicious breakfast each morning.

By 11:30 a.m., a large pot of hot, freshly made soup is bubbling away in the kitchen. The doors open at noon and when they close again 50 minutes later, around 80 – 100 bowls will have been ladled each with a bun or sandwich, a tea or coffee, and dessert.

Before dinnertime, the cooks begin to prepare a home-style dinner from scratch to feed anywhere from 100 – 200 individuals. As some diners leave, others are let in and the kitchen churns out plate after plate of hot dinner until there are no customers left to serve.

The Army Behind The Army 

The Salvation Army’s Bayside Mission served nearly 100,000 meals last year. But they couldn’t have done this alone. Thanks to the invaluable assistance of their volunteers, they are able to continue to provide meal services like this 365 days a year.

Next time, when you drive by the Bayside Mission, you won’t have to wonder why there is a crowd. More than likely, it’s almost mealtime and the crowd is eager to find out what delight has been cooked up.