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
Jan Carr
Never in my plans, but here i am overseeing the most wonderful organization ever. Proud of our phenomenal team, our dedication and hard work. Serving delicious, nutritious meals every single day to our unhoused friends and their pets, is an honor.

Team Lead, Cook, HSO Board Member
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.”

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."

Team Leader, Server/Helper Position Lead, 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!”

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.

Server
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.

Team Lead, Cook, Server, St. Vincent Liaison, Board Vice President
Dylan & Beth 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!”

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.

Board Secretary, Scheduling
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."

Server
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 Cook 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.”

Team Lead, Cook Position Lead, Cook, Server, Trainer, Board Member
Jim Bob & 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 Lead, Server, Grants & Fundraising
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!

Baker
Pam Forbes

Baker
Sandra Levinson

Team Lead, Cook, Food for People Liaison, Donations Director, Board Treasurer
Nancy Wallace Flannery

Server
Cheryl Furman

Team Lead, Cook, Board President
Lauren O'Grady

Cook
Judith Hughes

Baker, Team Lead, Server
Jeanette Addis

Baker
Danielle Villari

Server
Ian Cooke

Cook, Server, Paper Products Manager
Debbie De Raita

Baker
Ariel Backman

Cook
Scott Donohue

Server
Lindsey Beauchaine

Baker Position Lead
Christina Giltzow

Helper
Laura Gulden

Baker
Cindy Brehm

Server
Aly Lescht

Server
James Brother

Server
Jessica Davis
A Humboldt local for over 17 years, dedicated to building strong community connections, and passionate about people and animals.

Server
Chelby Henry