Our Vision

The vision for The Table Soup Kitchen Foundation is to bring the Church and our community together in service, providing a source of food and connection in the name of Jesus Christ.

Our Story

The Table Soup Kitchen Foundation began when, following a small group discussion, Heather Cassie (formerly Heather Berg) said, “someone should start a soup kitchen in Huntsville.” Little did she suspect that the “someone” was her. Over the next few months she felt God leading her in that direction and began researching and laying plans for a soup kitchen. A non-profit organization was founded, and after a benefit concert by Ruth Cassie, the first meal was served on Thanksgiving of 2006, followed by a Christmas meal.

A few months later, on Thursday, May 24, 2007, weekly meals began at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, serving around 10 guests each week. By May 5, 2008, attendance had grown to 25 and a Monday night meal was added using Community Living space. The Monday night meal moved to Trinity United Church in 2009, and by 2010 an average of 40 people were attending the Soup Kitchen each night. Over the years, the number of guests increased to as many as 90 per meal.

At the end of March 2020, our sit-down Soup Kitchen meals changed to become take-out meals given out of our Community Kitchen space, at 11 Hanes Street, in order to meet current needs. Our desire is to return to enjoying our Soup Kitchen meals in person with our guests soon. The number of meals served has raised to as many as 130 on a twice weekly basis.

The Table Food Bank was opened on December 12, 2008 in space donated by Anderson’s Produce (during the winter months when they were closed). When spring came, Sam Peters Investments graciously offered the storefront next door, and we operated out of that location for a couple of years. Today we have our own permanent location on Hanes Street. Since our inception, the Soup Kitchen and Food Bank has helped thousands of people in Huntsville and the surrounding areas, helped by many local businesses, individual donors, and close to two hundred dedicated ongoing volunteers.

Our Leadership

Heather Cassie /
Executive Director, Founder

Heather Cassie is an amazing leader. Through her immense effort and deep passion, she, with the assistance of some close friends, has brought The Table from a dream of hers to reality. She founded The Table Soup Kitchen Foundation in 2006 with a steady hand and prayerful guidance. Our community is blessed to have her leading The Table through prayer and love to provide a source of food and connection in the name of Jesus Christ.

The Table Soup Kitchen Foundation Members welcome our Board of Directors

Doug Morrison / President, Board Member

Doug Morrison moved to Huntsville in 2011 to serve at Muskoka Bible Centre where he was Program Director: Adult Ministry from 2011 to 2023. Prior to MBC he worked at the University of Guelph, in McLaughlin Library from 1975 to 2009. From 1996-2011 he also ran a small swine finishing operation at his farm outside of Fergus. Shortly after arriving in Huntsville Doug began volunteering at the Food Bank and eventually began serving in the Love Connection group. Doug’s passion in life is to serve others and he sees this new role as a Board Member as a means to continue to serve the Huntsville community.

Britta Gerwin / Vice President,

Board Member

Britta Gerwin grew up in Huntsville and has been involved in the community for the past 20. Her career spans 25 years in CEO and senior management roles in the non-profit sector, including the Canadian Red Cross, Starlight Children’s Foundation, Huntsville Hospital Foundation, and Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North. She served two terms as a Director with The Table, and currently sits on the Hunters Bay Radio board and the Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust fund development & communications committee. She is a radio host and producer, wildlife photographer, and a partner in Nature by Runtz. She looks forward to supporting The Table and the community that we serve.

Linda Haslam-Stroud /
Treasurer
, Board Member

Linda Haslam-Stroud, RN has worked in healthcare for over 40 years, including President of the Ontario Nurses’ Association, Trustee for the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan and Director for the Duke of Edinburgh, Commonwealth Leader Dialogue Canada. She has also done mission work with Medical Ministry International. She looks forward to supporting The Table in providing service to our guests and the community.

Susie LaRose / Secretary

Susie LaRose grew up in Huntsville and has served at The Table for more than 10 years. Her title at The Table is Exchange Store Coordinator and she likes to think of herself as a friend to those she works with and serves. Before getting married and having children, she went to Sir Sanford Fleming College and got her early childhood education diploma. She worked in day care for a number of years, and with the health unit for a year helping young moms in the community. Once children came into her life she took on motherhood full time. She loves serving and enjoys her role at The Table, and prays she will be able to continue serving others and be blessed in the process.

Our TTSKF Membership acknowledges our past Board Members in good standing

Founding Board Members:

Heather Cassie (formerly Berg), President
Dan Fera, Vice President
Laura Lewis, Secretary
Alan Paton, Treasurer

Other Members:

George Cassie, Secretary / Treasurer
Tom Peppiat, Treasurer
Michael Ankenmann, President
Joy Gervais, Vice President
Nicole MacLean, Secretary
Emma Platts-Boyle, Secretary
Virginia Malone, Secretary