‘Champs’ serve up gourmet soups — and inspiration

Kieran Schellenberg wasn’t just stirring soup at the launch of the Raw Carrot on Thursday — he was mixing up hope and purpose.

“It’s difficult for people with disabilities to find a job,” said Schellenberg, 26, who is on the autism spectrum and also deals with OCD, ADHD and anxiety.

“It’s great to get out, have work and be productive,” he said, adding that having a job also aids with self esteem.

Schellenberg is one of eight people with disabilities working at the Raw Carrot, a social enterprise that launched this week at St. Peter’s Anglican Church in River Heights.

“They all work like champs,” said kitchen manager Cara Klippenstein of the staff, who made 800 frozen servings of gourmet soup including carrot, potato bacon, hearty lentil and barley and veggie mania.

The Raw Carrot is the brainchild of Rebecca Sherbino of Paris, Ont. She co-founded the social enterprise in 2014.

“I did it because of a person at my church,” Sherbino said, referring to a woman with a cognitive disability. “She had great potential, but couldn’t find a job. There were so many barriers to employment. But she wanted to work.”

When efforts to help find her a job came up short, Sherbino decided to create one.

“We sold $25,000 of gourmet soup that first year,” she said, adding staff were committed, loyal and enthusiastic.

Today, Raw Carrot employs 45 people at six locations in southern Ontario — and now, for the first time outside of that province, in Winnipeg.

People employed by the social enterprise, who are on social support, work one to three days a week making the soup. It is sold at farmers markets, craft and other shows, and to non-profits, churches and businesses for luncheons and meetings.

All of the money earned by Raw Carrot is used to buy ingredients and packaging, and to pay staff minimum wage.

“The disability support they receive isn’t enough,” said Sherbino, noting that staff often use the extra funds to buy things like shoes, glasses or to get a haircut.

Sherbino believes social enterprises like Raw Carrot are great ways for churches to serve people who are marginalized in their communities.

“Churches shouldn’t exist to only serve their members. They can truly be the hands and feet of Jesus in their communities,” she said.

At the same time, Sherbino stressed Raw Carrot isn’t about proselytizing or evangelism.

“The primary driver is to do something tangible for people, and give people the dignity of work,” she said, adding “we are thrilled to have Winnipeg as the first location outside of Ontario.”

Hope Centre Ministries sponsors Winnipeg’s version of the Raw Carrot. The organization exists to help churches include people living with disabilities.

“So many people with disabilities tell me their main prayer is to find a job,” said Shellie Power, executive director of Hope Centre Ministries.

A job also gives them an opportunity to give back, Power said.

“Too often people with disabilities are seen as recipients, people to be cared for. But they have gifts that are needed in the community. Work gives them a chance to contribute.”

Raw Carrot’s partner in Winnipeg is St. Peter’s church.

“We have a commercial kitchen that’s not used most of the time,” said Joan Crabtree, the church’s administrator.

“There was no hesitation when they asked, it’s a good fit for us. It’s a way for us to serve God and the world.”

Raw Carrot’s small-batch, handcrafted gourmet soup can be purchased at The Forks Market Friday to Sunday during business hours. Servings for three are $9.95; single servings are $5.25.

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