BATH

For the second time in four months, the Bath Area Food Bank is looking for someone to manage the Bath Soup Kitchen, which feeds hungry people three times a week at the First Baptist Church on Washington Street.

Helen Koehling, who has been teaming up with Becki Parkhurst to fill that volunteer position since October, is reluctantly stepping down due to health issues. Koehling has had the position all to herself since February.

Koehling said she will continue in the job until May 17, and will stay as long as she can to help transition anyone who is willing to replace her. She is on the job from 7:30 until early afternoon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and sometimes shows up on Tuesdays and Thursdays to do prep work.

“I’m going to continue to volunteer, and do anything I can do,” Koehling said Tuesday. I’m trying to get them enough time to get somebody in to cook. We’ll have to find someone who can cook, and manage at the same time, on a volunteer basis.”

Jessica Kwasniak has been cooking as well at the Soup Kitchen, and helping Koehling manage the operations.

Koehling said she has a heart problem, and suffers from stress. Her doctor wants her to lessen her load, she said.

“This is really killing me to have to leave, truthfully,” Koehling said. “It’s changed my life. It’s made me a better person. It’s humbled me.”

In early September, the Bath Area Food Bank was seeking a new manager for its soup kitchen after it closed its doors. The Bath Area Food Bank serves as the umbrella organization for the soup kitchen, the food pantry at the Neighborhood Faith Community, United Church of Christ, and the clothing exchange, which closed a year ago.