News Summary
Someone Cares Soup Kitchen in Costa Mesa has appointed Adam Ereth as its interim executive director following the passing of Shannon Santos. With a rich history of community service and leadership experience, Ereth aims to continue the soup kitchen’s mission of providing nutritious meals and support to low-income families. The kitchen has been a vital resource for the community for 39 years, and Ereth’s appointment is seen as a positive step towards preserving its legacy and ensuring ongoing service.
Costa Mesa – Someone Cares Soup Kitchen, a vital resource for low-income families in Costa Mesa, has found new leadership following the unfortunate passing of its previous director. Adam Ereth, a long-time volunteer and dedicated member of the kitchen’s staff, has been appointed as the interim executive director effective June 23, 2023.
The establishment has been a cornerstone of the community for 39 years, originally founded by Merle Hatleberg in 1986. Hatleberg was known for providing daily, nutritious meals for those in need until her death in 2007. Her granddaughter, Shannon Santos, then took over the management of the organization, which also included overseeing a tutoring program for local children.
Someone Cares Soup Kitchen serves up to 300 balanced meals every day, primarily catering to families residing on the west side of Costa Mesa. Additionally, the kitchen hosts a Saturday food distribution event that allows clients to select fresh produce in a farmers market-style setup. The soup kitchen also plays a role in the educational support for K-4 students at Pomona Elementary through a referral program that provides homework assistance.
In recent times, the organization encountered significant challenges, particularly with Santos facing health issues related to congestive heart failure, a condition that also affected her grandmother. Santos passed away on June 1, 2023, at the age of 59, leading to uncertainty about the kitchen’s future. The six-member board of Someone Cares was left pondering the next steps, stressing the importance of finding a successor who could fill the considerable gap left by both Santos and Hatleberg.
Adam Ereth’s appointment as interim executive director brings a wealth of experience and a personal connection to the mission of Someone Cares. He began volunteering at a young age, driven by his mother, Rachel Perry, and often helped deliver food to the soup kitchen during his childhood. He has maintained a long-standing relationship with the organization, completing his community service hours there during high school with Hatleberg’s support.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ereth provided essential leadership by developing guidelines for the kitchen and creating a new food distribution model focused on building food boxes for delivery to the community. This proactive approach helped the organization thrive during a challenging period. As the programs director, Ereth also played a key role in securing grant funding and managing social media and fundraising efforts.
Debbee Pezman, Hatleberg’s daughter and Santos’ aunt, has served on the Someone Cares board for over two decades. Initially concerned about the path forward after Santos’ passing, Pezman quickly recognized the ongoing community involvement and determined that the organization could remain open. An emergency board meeting was convened where Ereth’s name surfaced as a potential leader, and his selection followed shortly after.
Community members, including long-time volunteers like retired engineer Mike Lingle, have expressed their support and confidence in Ereth’s leadership abilities. They acknowledge the legacies of Hatleberg and Santos while recognizing Ereth’s commitment to community service as a strong foundation for the kitchen’s future.
As the new interim executive director, Ereth recognizes the big shoes he has to fill, inspired by the deep-rooted dedication to community support exemplified by both Santos and Hatleberg. He emphasized that the mission of Someone Cares is fundamentally aligned with the community-centric values that the organization stands for.
In conclusion, as Someone Cares Soup Kitchen transitions into a new chapter under Ereth’s leadership, the organization remains committed to serving the Costa Mesa community by providing essential meals and support, ensuring that the work initiated nearly four decades ago continues to thrive.
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HERE Resources
Mayor Stephens Highlights Nonprofit Contributions at State of the City Luncheon
Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Someone Cares Soup Kitchen Taps New Leader
- Orange County Register: Hot Meals and Dignity at Costa Mesa Soup Kitchen
- California.com: Where to Volunteer at a Soup Kitchen in California
- Wikipedia: Soup Kitchen
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Soup Kitchen
