HSO Team | Humboldtsoupson

Meet the HSO Team

This dedicated group of volunteers goes above and beyond to prepare and serve hot, nutritious meals every day of the week, rain or shine.

Co-Founder / Executive Director, Volunteers Director, Liaison

Jaime Doyle

"I spent my early childhood living in poverty and subsequently have worked for over 30 years with women and children who have lived in poverty. I believe having food, housing and unconditional love are inalienable human rights. In creating HSO, I am sharing my love of cooking and feeding with a wonderful group of like-minded folks. We can't rid our community of homelessness, we can make a difference by coming back every day with a warm meal, a welcome smile and a certain sense of community."

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Co-Founder, President Board of Directors, Animal Liaison, Fundraising

Jan Carr

"I'm the Co-Founder, along with Jaime Doyle, of Humboldt Soups On. I can't cook a thing and never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd become a "Soup Lady". I absolutely adore our team, our cause, and the people and animals we serve. Spay-neuter is my deal, so I multi-task in the group. I'm an Arcata native, the mother of ten and the grandmother of two. I'm a fierce advocate of the unhoused."

Board of Directors, Cook, Server, Helper

Florine Lindgren

Our “Flo,” has worked on trail maintenance, as a rock stone mason, and a backcountry cook in Yosemite, Stanislaus and Tahoe. She moved back home to Humboldt to care for her mother who had suddenly become ill, several years ago. She has been a caregiver ever since. “I enjoy hiking, biking, creating art, fine woodworking, cooking and enjoying nature. I love cooking and have found making soup for Humboldt Soup’s On, has energized my passion. I really enjoy the great energy of this group, and how dedicated everyone is, including the multiple donors. It's wonderful to see the people in Valley West smile, after getting something hot, nutritious and delicious to eat.”

Helper

Sophia Pelafigue

Sophia Pelafigue has been helping to serve with Sally and Jim on Sundays. She works at Pacific Union School, loves to garden and spend time hiking with her dog. She loves living in arcata and believes everyone has a right to be well fed, treated with dignity, and supported. She marvels at what an amazing system that Soups On has managed to create for Arcata’s most marginalized populations and loves and appreciates the great people who are involved.

Cook

Debi Cool King

"Hello! My name is Debi. I am a Humboldt gal who loves painting, gardening, and hiking. I am also a foodie who loves to cook. I am blessed to have met an abundance of wonderful caring people here on the North Coast. I am honored to be a part of the Soups On group.”

Board of Directors, Food For People Liaison, Trainers, Team Leader, Cook, Server

Jim & Sallie Graham

"Jim’s an accomplished chainsaw sculpture& a jack of all trades, Sallie owns and operates a cleaning business and her love language is cooking and absolutely loves to feed people. Together they share a passion to serve food made with love to the unhoused community. The joy it brings to our heart to help our community members is undescribable. We are so happy to be part of humboldt soups on.”

Team Leader, Server, Souper Star

Linda Eckert

“Now retired, I have the opportunity to indulge in the things I enjoy - gardening, camping, cooking, endless home improvement projects and travel. Prior to my retirement I was a Realtor and helped find housing for my clients. Now I am in the position of serving those whose only housing may be a tent or tarp on a river bar or a parking lot. My entry into Humboldt Soup’s On began as a donor and morphed into a server. Like many of us, I had minimal contact with the unhoused. Working with these individuals has enabled me to meet them where they are and begin to understand the varied circumstances that brought them here as well as their sense of community with one another. It’s a great group to be a part of!”

Team Leader, Server, Souper Star

Laura L. Pickens

“I came to live in Humboldt County in August, 2013, after retiring from a job in Silicon Valley. I love being here and all the access to nature. I have two adult daughters one living here and the other lives in Chico. I enjoy working outside in the yards, there always seems to be one project or another. I enjoy exploring new places, camping and reading. I appreciate everything Humboldt Soup’s On does and I’m glad to be a part of it.

Dog Food Director

Jessica Schlachter

"Hi! I'm Jessica! I was born and raised in Humboldt County, and I've always been a firm believer that a community can only thrive when everyone invests time and effort into making it a better place. I initially got involved in Humboldt Soups On hoping for an occasional outlet for my stress baking and baked my first batch of bread for the group on New Year's Day - a few breads and desserts later, I jumped into the role of Dog Food Coordinator! I have a soft spot for animals (especially senior dogs!) and handling donated dog food by portioning it up, keeping track of inventory, and delivering it allows me to spread some of the love amongst pups of all ages."

Board of Directors, Tech Support, Cook, Servers, St. Vincent Liaison

Beth & Dylan Stembridge

“Hey! We are Beth and Dylan. We recently moved to Humboldt County from Georgia and have been enjoying getting to know the area. We enjoy hiking, walking our dogs at the local parks, and generally enjoying nature! We are excited to be working with Humboldt Soups On as cooks and servers. We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to have a warm meal each day and want to do our part to make it so!”

Team Leader, Baker

Aisha Candrian Morton

Aisha has lived in Humboldt County most of her life and is grateful to be able to do something tangible in the way of baking bread to help feed our unhoused community members.

Helper

Signe Sandberg

I've lived in Humboldt for almost 25 years. Raised a beautiful daughter on my own. I love being outside and am comforted by animals, plants and water. I went to LSU and studied sociology, to address my fascination with human groups. I've worked with various populations of marginalized people for decades. My goal is to keep seeking peace within , so I may shine my light to others. I believe each and every person is powerful and hope is boundless. Doing my part to lift up all of us, as a collective, is what matters to me.

Helper / Server, Cook

Joel Mielke & Lynn Harvey

"Semi-retired we have owned and run our graphic design/advertising studio in Humboldt since 2004. When we're not working, we can be found walking on the beach, working in the yard or at the Humboldt Historical Society working on projects. We are happy to be a part of this group of hard working people serving the unhoused."

Baker

Christine Hills

"My name is Christine Hills. My husband and I moved to Trinidad from Davis 30 years ago. I worked in the nonprofit sector until my retirement in 2022. I love to cook, bake, hike, walk the beach with my dogs, bike, and workout. When I was made aware that HSO needed bakers, I thought - I can do that! - and here I am baking breads and desserts!

HSO Secretary, Server

Carrie Donohue

"I have lived in the area for a few years retiring here with my husband Scott. We feel very fortunate to live in this great community and to be working with HSO, providing hot meals to our unhoused neighbors and their pets."