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In this inspiring episode of Total Michigan, we visit the East Side Soup Kitchen in Saginaw, where Executive Director Diane Keenan shares the incredible work being done to serve the community. With a deep passion for helping those in need, Diane and her team prepare and distribute over 8,000 meals a week, ensuring that individuals and families have access to nutritious food and essential resources. We discuss the history of the soup kitchen, the challenges of funding and food supply, and the many ways volunteers and donors contribute to this life-changing mission.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- The origins of the Eastside Soup Kitchen and how it has evolved since 1980.
- How the kitchen prepares and distributes 8,000 meals per week.
- Volunteer opportunities and how you can get involved.
- The additional services provided include medical care, clothing, and support programs.
Links:
East Side Soup Kitchen Website: https://www.eastsidesoupkitchen.org/
East Side Soup Kitchen Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialeastsidesoupkitchen
Call to donate or volunteer: (989) 755-3663
Feeding Hope: How Eastside Soup Kitchen Changes Lives in Saginaw
Saginaw, Michigan, is a city with heart. It’s a place where community matters. One of the strongest examples of this is the Eastside Soup Kitchen. Every weekday, they serve hundreds of meals, feeding bodies and souls. The person leading this mission? Diane Keenan. She has dedicated her life to serving others. This is her story and the story of the people she helps.
A Place to Eat, A Place to Be Safe
The Eastside Soup Kitchen isn’t just about food. It’s about dignity. It’s about giving people a place where they feel welcome. For many, it’s a sanctuary. “We provide hot, nutritious meals,” Diane explains. “But we also provide a place where people feel respected.”
The kitchen serves over 8,000 meals a week. That’s an incredible number. Volunteers and staff prepare the food fresh every day. The menu changes based on what’s available. “Sometimes we don’t know what we’ll be serving until the day before,” Diane says. “But our cooks are amazing. They make it work.”
Diane’s Journey
Diane Keenan wasn’t always in this line of work. She grew up in Saginaw. At 16, she had to leave school. She became a mother at a young age. But she didn’t stop there. She earned her GED, then an associate’s degree. She kept going. Eventually, she earned a master’s degree in Organizational Management—at age 50.
“I was the first in my family to graduate from college,” Diane says. “It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.”
She always felt drawn to nonprofit work. Helping people called to her. Before leading the Eastside Soup Kitchen, she worked for the Boys and Girls Club. That’s where she first connected with the soup kitchen. She volunteered, then joined the board. Eventually, she became its executive director.
A Community Effort
The East Side Soup Kitchen doesn’t run on goodwill alone. It needs food. It needs money. It needs volunteers.
“People think we rely only on donations,” Diane says. “But the truth is, we have to buy a lot of our food.” That means writing grants, organizing fundraisers, and reaching out to the community for support.
And Saginaw steps up. Local businesses, churches, and individuals contribute what they can. “One of our regular donors used to eat here,” Diane says. “Now they give us $5 a month. That $5 means everything.”
The kitchen hosts fundraising events throughout the year. Golf outings, pasta nights, and food drives help keep the doors open. Volunteers also play a huge role. Many have been helping for over 25 years. “We have families that come in. Married couples. Church groups,” Diane explains. “Everyone finds a way to contribute.”
Challenges and Needs
Running the East Side Soup Kitchen isn’t easy. The biggest challenge? Storage.
“We need more freezer space,” Diane says. “Especially around the holidays when we get big donations.” Eggs and meat are always in demand. “Eggs are like gold,” she says with a laugh. “And we need 200 pounds of ground beef for one meal.”
Government funding is another hurdle. Recent budget cuts have put some programs on hold. A medical bus that provided free healthcare to guests recently had to stop coming. “That was a big loss,” Diane says. “But we’re doing what we can. Nurses will still come twice a month.”
How You Can Help the East Side Soup Kitchen
Want to make a difference? There are many ways to support the East Side Soup Kitchen:
- Donate money. Even $5 a month makes an impact.
- Volunteer. Help prep food, serve meals, or clean up.
- Organize a food drive. Call ahead to find out what’s needed most.
- Donate gift cards. Stores like Gordon’s, Sam’s, and Kroger help them buy what’s needed.
- Spread the word. Share their mission with friends and family.
Conclusion The East Side Soup Kitchen is more than a place to get a meal. It’s a place where people find kindness, respect, and hope. Diane Keenan and her team are making a real difference in Saginaw. And with community support, they’ll continue to do so for years to come.
If this story inspires you, consider donating or volunteering. Every meal served is a step toward a stronger, more compassionate community.
