Tennille’s Hope served its first meal on February 7, 2007 out of the Whitecourt Legion Hall to approximately 80 guests. For the next two and half years the Legion graciously let us use their hall, rent free every Wednesday to serve a home cooked meal to approximately  120 guests.  In 2009 Tennille’s Hope moved to our current location 5020 50 Ave due to the generous offer of an interest free mortgage by Gordon Gibson. The renovations needed in the building to turn it into a soup kitchen was made possible by generous donations from the Whitecourt community and also an interest free loan from the Town of Whitecourt.

At the present time we serve a home-cooked meal twice a week, on Wednesdays and Fridays.  These meals are free to everyone who comes into the soup kitchen. Our guests come from all walks of life such as seniors, homeless, young families and the working poor.  They come for a free meal and also a time of fellowship.  For the homeless it might be their only meal for the week, for others it might be their budget cannot make ends meet. They not only come to eat but to fellowship.  If available we also provide a bread program in which, if available, they have some food to take home.  They look upon Tennille’s Hope as their family and when opportunity arises that those who have benefited from us, also, give back to our soup kitchen through volunteering, financial donations and fellowship. Tennille’s Hope is totally run by volunteers and we are so very grateful for the community and their involvement with us. Presently one of our needs is to upgrade the kitchen appliances and to pay off our mortgage. Our goal when these two things are accomplished is to offer our guests courses on personal budgeting, basic cooking skills, anger management, etc.  and if possible to be open 3 to 5 days a week.