'We feel very supported by this city': Soup kitchen reopens early after $50K flood

After a burst pipe caused about $50,000 in damage, Lighthouse Mission said support from the community has allowed them to open their doors a week early to clients.

"People rallied very quickly," said Joel Cormie, operations manager at Lighthouse Mission on Main Street.

The flood on May 8 destroyed 10 freezers, three fridges, parts of the building's boiler, hot water tank, laundry machines and a bathroom, said Cormie.

But within days the donations flowed in raising enough money to clean up the basement.

While the charity filed an insurance claim, the manager said waiting for funds would have taken too long for clients who rely on the some 200 to 250 breakfasts and lunches the facility serves each week day.

"We made our announcement about what happened and we had reached that $20,000 goal within two and a half days," Cormie said.

The mission ended up raising $26,000 which he said will help cover any difference between what insurance will cover and what they lost in the flood, said Cormie.

"Obviously we feel very supported by this city."

Along with breakfast and lunches, the Lighthouse Mission also serves chili on Friday nights and lunch on Saturdays and distributes emergency hampers.

While agencies around the soup kitchen stepped in to help clients while the mission was closed, Cormie said the Lighthouse is a part of people's routines and its closure was disruptive.

"We feel so much thankfulness," Cormie said.