The Table Soup Kitchen Foundation inaugurates The Table Plaza on Cann Street

Photo from left, the Uppals, landlords for 12 Cann Street; The Table Soup Kitchen Foundation Board President Brian Rasmussen; Huntsville Mayor Nancy Alcock; Heather Cassie, Executive Director and Founder of The Table Soup Kitchen Foundation; the Blains of Randy Blain Construction and Duncan Ross, the architect of the project join in the cutting of the ribbon to inaugurate The Table Soup Kitchen Foundation’s new space.

It’s a big project for a big space, and one that many in attendance lamented is unfortunately necessary to help those in need.

Today, community volunteers, politicians, and project supporters joined Founder and Executive Director Heather Cassie at the official inauguration of the Table Soup Kitchen Foundation’s new space at the Cann Street plaza in Huntsville, where FreshCo used to be.

The space is estimated at 31,000 square feet and will be the new home of the Table Soup Kitchen Foundation’s food bank and food rescue program, a thrift store open to the whole community, and an art gallery and café. More services and initiatives are also planned once funding is secured, including a warming and cooling centre with 34 beds (four spots accommodate pets), an emporium, a hydroponics growing space, prayer ministry and job training initiatives.

Cassie gave thanks to all the donors and supporters of the project, including the Sprott Foundation. The project received $60,000 in August and $200,000 in December. Cassie said they applied for a grant of $200,000 for three different years and received it for five. “They believe in what we’re doing here,” she noted.

Cassie and The Table Soup Kitchen Foundation Board President Brian Rasmussen, along with Huntsville Mayor Nancy Alcock, spoke at the inauguration, surrounded by project builder Randy Blain of Randy Blain Construction and his wife, architect Duncan Ross, and the building landlord, Sarjit Uppal and his family.

“It’s been a long and arduous journey,” said Rasmussen. He said Cassie’s idea to create the Table Plaza wasn’t accepted at first. She presented her vision to the Board in January 2025, “and we all shared the vision with her. From a business perspective, it might not have made sense because this is such a huge undertaking, but we really felt glad to do this. We took possession July 1st, and there’s been so much to navigate. There’s been a lot of work. Lots to figure out… realtors and landlords and architects and trades people, and we’re very grateful for everyone that brought us to this point.” He said, “It’s unfortunate the Table needs to exist, but we’re very happy to meet the needs of the community. We’re alleviating hunger and homelessness, and people that are in need of daily sustenance, but this isn’t just a place for our guests, it’s a place for the entire community… there’s going to be something here for everyone.”

Huntsville Mayor Nancy Alcock said she remembered running into Cassie in Bracebridge, who told her about her vision. “When you first started talking about it, and I remember feeling your enthusiasm, but also being a bit awe-struck by, I don’t know how they’d pull it off, but they did with the help of many people in this room.” Alcock gave kudos to the landlord, to applause from those present. “Thank you for being here today because you clearly believe…,” said Alcock as the landlord interjected, “in the community.”

Alcock thanked everyone involved. “We are here, we believe in everything you are doing, but the tragedy of it is that we need to do this. We know we have a situation of people who are without shelter, so this will be a place where it provides shelter, and we know that the numbers are still staggering and the need is still very great.”

Cassie thanked Alcock for being an approachable mayor “who actually cares about what’s actually going on in our community… and Brian, board president and dear friend, thank you also for stepping up and listening and being open to the vision that God gave me. Not everybody has been, but you were, and you led the Board really well and continue to do that with a passion for the Lord, and that’s why we’re here, right? We’re here because God placed this in our hearts to do for the community because he cares about the hungry, hurting and homeless… so we’re here to serve…,” she said. She also thanked everyone who is supporting the project, including the volunteers from Beaver Creek.

Click HERE to find out more about The Table Soup Kitchen Foundation.