Stories

Salvador Carrero

Everyone knows that volunteers are the backbone of any operation like the Waterville Area Soup Kitchen. EVERYTHING here is the work of volunteers. The active volunteer roster at the Lighthouse is fluid, revised every few weeks as new people arrive, veterans retire, and students return home for the summer. But there are typically at least 75 names on the list. We have tracked volunteer activity from the very beginning but it’s only recently that we’ve dug into this data for a clear view of the hours and effort that make it all work. Over the past two months, an average of 15 individuals have volunteered each day, offering 1 hour or even 6, depending on their availability. On any given day approximately 60 hours of work are required to maintain operations. As we approach the end of May, we are grateful for nearly 6,000 volunteer hours so far in 2026.

Salvador Carrero is a stellar example of the volunteers who power the Lighthouse. Sal is at the Lighthouse three days each week, generally arriving before 6 a.m., sometimes with breakfast pastries donated by Starbucks. He gets the coffee station up and running, ready for our earliest guests. For the rest of the morning, Sal presides over the dish room, managing the endless flow of pots, pans, and dishes as lunch is prepared and served. When he leaves us, Sal heads to the South End Teen Center, where he continues to serve the community. Thank you to Sal, and to all the others, for all you do.

April Wimer

On any given morning at the Lighthouse, if you ask for a cup of coffee, it is likely to be poured for you by April Wimer and accompanied by a warm smile. For a year now, April has been managing the beverage and breakfast bar, becoming a familiar and welcome presence in the dining room.

From Cape Cod, April moved to Maine in 2013 and, with local resources, worked through depression and alcohol struggles that were negatively affecting her health. April is the proud Mom of daughter, Ashley, who is a scholarship swimmer at a Florida university. Sadly, her son Dylan passed away a few years ago.

About a year ago, April discovered WASK through Facebook and realized the Lighthouse was just a few blocks from her home. She reached out about volunteering, and we are grateful she did. Over the past year, April has become a steady and reliable presence for our guests. She especially enjoys listening to their stories and offering a bit of warmth or comfort - often in the form of a hot or cold drink, and perhaps a muffin or a Danish.

Jessica Beedy

Jessica spent most of her adult life in southern California. Last June, she and her family moved to Waterville, and the Lighthouse was about to be blessed. A former volunteer at Preble Street in Portland, Jessica stopped by to see how she might help and has barely missed a day in the last 10 months. Her own life experiences, including a struggle with alcohol, give Jessica a compassionate heart and some skill in dealing with others who are struggling. She has become an indispensable presence in the dining room, handling any task or crisis with grace.