1918-10-29oo IODE Kitchen

 “A great deal is being heard these days of the work being accomplished by the S.O.S. soup kitchen, and undoubtedly its usefulness in the present crisis is appreciated by the greater part of Hamiltonians. It remains, however, for the actual visitor to that scene of action in First Methodist church to fully understand the immense service which the Daughters of the Empire are giving to the city. Entering the regions below the church, a Herald reporter was struck with the amount of increased work being carried out by the ladies. It would have seemed last week that it was almost impossible for that kitchen to ‘hum’ more than it was doing then, but it was no exaggeration to state that if it was busy last week, it is at least three times as busy today.

                   WORK INCREASED

“The same little baskets were being laid side by side, the same custards were being poured into jars, jellies every bit as enticing were to be seen in the attractive sanitary cups which are being used by the ‘cooks.’ The same appetizing smell of the savory broth permeated the rooms, but the quantity was so increased as to amaze the visitor. Where there were two dozen, there are now six dozen pots of custard stored away in the capacious cupboard all ready for the daily demands. The jellies are in like quantity increased, as is every other food which is being made by the S.O.S.

“There are additions, too. Some motherly heart  had conceived the idea of filling jars of creamed rice as an especial treat for the little sick children, and even gruel is sent away for the tiny babies. On one table were to be seen a number of jars of black currant jelly, these being sent out for coughs, all ready for the hot water to be added to make a soothing drink – stored away on a shelf were some delightful-looking jars of fruit – a special delivery for very sick patients.

“ ‘Yes,’ said Mrs. P. D. Crerar, who conducted a tour of inspection, ‘our aim is to send out baskets appropriate to conditions. If there are babies we include gruel in the basket; if a sick child, the creamed rice. We find out the conditions and suit the needs of the sick household.

“One of the most remarkable facts about the work is the orhanization. However busy, the system is never lost, and this, of course, results in an efficient service, which is just what is needed by doctors and nurses.

                   MRS. BURKHOLDER’S WORK

“Turning around a corner and coming upon a storeroom, Mrs. Burkholder, regent of St. Cecilia chapter was found. ‘Here,’ said Mrs. Crerar, ‘is our busiest woman, Mrs. Burkholder has been at the job since the kitchen was inaugurated last Monday – every day and all day. Here, there and everywhere, she personally conducts the entire workings of the kitchen, as far as the preparations of the foods are concerned. She has gone into it, heart and soul. Mrs. Burkholder, however, is very modest. ‘It is my chapter and they have been wonderful.

“Mrs. Crerar herself has the arduous job of being convener of the packing committee. Mrs. Crerar receives the baskets  as they are packed and determines their destination, passing them off in turn to Mrs. McCullough, convener of the transportation committee, who in her turn, sends of her seven or eight ‘transporters’ in their cars with the supplies to the houses where they are required.

                   HUNDREDS OF GIFTS

“The donations sent in every day by members and friends of the I.O.D.E., would, said the president, be impossible to enumerate. Hundreds of donations were sent in every morning, she added.

The Hamilton chapters Imperial Orders of the Daughters of the Empire, in light of the hardships caused by the Spanish influenza, collectively decided to put their energies and resources together to provide food, beverages and small treats for Hamilton household where the flu bug has brought family member to their beds, unable to attend to normal duties.

The big kitchen in the basement of the First Methodist church was made available to the I.O.D.E. volunteers. Right off the ladies were very busy and as the week rolled out, they got even busier as more and more Hamiltonians were afflicted by the plague.

During the second week, a reporter from the Hamilton Herald visited the I.O.D.E. kitchen and wrote up his impressions of it:

 “A great deal is being heard these days of the work being accomplished by the S.O.S. soup kitchen, and undoubtedly its usefulness in the present crisis is appreciated by the greater part of Hamiltonians. It remains, however, for the actual visitor to that scene of action in First Methodist church to fully understand the immense service which the Daughters of the Empire are giving to the city. Entering the regions below the church, a Herald reporter was struck with the amount of increased work being carried out by the ladies. It would have seemed last week that it was almost impossible for that kitchen to ‘hum’ more than it was doing then, but it was no exaggeration to state that if it was busy last week, it is at least three times as busy today.

                   WORK INCREASED

“The same little baskets were being laid side by side, the same custards were being poured into jars, jellies every bit as enticing were to be seen in the attractive sanitary cups which are being used by the ‘cooks.’ The same appetizing smell of the savory broth permeated the rooms, but the quantity was so increased as to amaze the visitor. Where there were two dozen, there are now six dozen pots of custard stored away in the capacious cupboard all ready for the daily demands. The jellies are in like quantity increased, as is every other food which is being made by the S.O.S.

“There are additions, too. Some motherly heart  had conceived the idea of filling jars of creamed rice as an especial treat for the little sick children, and even gruel is sent away for the tiny babies. On one table were to be seen a number of jars of black currant jelly, these being sent out for coughs, all ready for the hot water to be added to make a soothing drink – stored away on a shelf were some delightful-looking jars of fruit – a special delivery for very sick patients.

“ ‘Yes,’ said Mrs. P. D. Crerar, who conducted a tour of inspection, ‘our aim is to send out baskets appropriate to conditions. If there are babies we include gruel in the basket; if a sick child, the creamed rice. We find out the conditions and suit the needs of the sick household.

“One of the most remarkable facts about the work is the organization. However busy, the system is never lost, and this, of course, results in an efficient service, which is just what is needed by doctors and nurses.

                   MRS. BURKHOLDER’S WORK

“Turning around a corner and coming upon a storeroom, Mrs. Burkholder, regent of St. Cecilia chapter was found. ‘Here,’ said Mrs. Crerar, ‘is our busiest woman, Mrs. Burkholder has been at the job since the kitchen was inaugurated last Monday – every day and all day. Here, there and everywhere, she personally conducts the entire workings of the kitchen, as far as the preparations of the foods are concerned. She has gone into it, heart and soul. Mrs. Burkholder, however, is very modest. ‘It is my chapter and they have been wonderful.

“Mrs. Crerar herself has the arduous job of being convener of the packing committee. Mrs. Crerar receives the baskets  as they are packed and determines their destination, passing them off in turn to Mrs. McCullough, convener of the transportation committee, who in her turn, sends of her seven or eight ‘transporters’ in their cars with the supplies to the houses where they are required.

                   HUNDREDS OF GIFTS

“The donations sent in every day by members and friends of the I.O.D.E., would, said the president, be impossible to enumerate. Hundreds of donations were sent in every morning, she added.

“We have stopped for nothing,’ said Mrs. Crerar, ‘neither for church nor age, nor any other reason, except the ‘flu’ itself. I am proud to be at the head of such a wonderful organization.’ ”¹

¹ “Great Work Being Done By the I.O.D.E. : Doing Valiant Service in Soup Kitchen for Victims of the Influenza : Many Dainties Sent Out : Work Well-Organized – Public Giving Work Whole-Hearted Support”

Hamilton Herald.    October 29, 1918.

             First Methodist Church, below