Jay and Talia Lenker, father and daughter, arrived with bottles of water, hot dogs and a steaming pot of chili at Wallace Marine Park Monday afternoon to serve people in need for Salem Soup Squad.

Salem Soup Squad is a mutual aid effort that’s served hot meals regularly in Marion Square Park and Wallace Marine Park for several years. The Lenkers joined as volunteers around a month ago, when Talia texted her father about the gig.

On Monday afternoon, Jay brought homemade chili and hot dogs to serve under the tent, and Talia brought bottles of water. They began serving people around 2 p.m.

The chili was gone in under an hour, with dozens of unsheltered people stopping by the tent throughout the day. Many brought their dogs along with them to also enjoy a scoop of chili.

Biscuits and gra

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