Feeding hope to those in need

Located on Brunswick Street, close to affordable housing projects and the Salvation Army. the Hope Cottage community kitchen has served meals to those who need them every day since July 1970.

Founded by Father Joe Mills, and with a commitment to serving two meals per day, Hope Cottage serves around 200 meals per day to the community.

Behind the kitchen counter, the person in charge of prepping and cooking those meals is retired boxer Ed Hollett.

Hollett also manages the food and clothing donations given to Hope Cottage by sponsors: the organization hands out winter clothes, like gloves and hats to those who need them.

“We get a whole bunch of church groups, restaurants, hotels, and organizations. They all help us out and bring us hot meals,” said Hollett. A key part of the Hope Cottage mission is their commitment to never run out of food.

“Any food that’s donated. It’s up to me to decide whether is good enough to serve it.”

Hollett has worked for Hope Cottage for 27 years — he was once unhoused, like some of the organization’s current patrons.

“For me to give back helps me as well,” said Hollett. “A couple of years back during a radio interview a woman called me while I was being interviewed to tell me that she had named her child after me … you don’t get those that often and it shows me that I’m helping in the right place.”

Volunteer Alexis Bayn says that the community inspires her to keep returning.

“The people that I got to meet every day, the smiles, providing a smile for people,” said Bayn. “It feels like a family.”