COEUR d’ALENE — Tuesday evenings, after the last smoothies have blended and the final kale quesadillas have sold, Prana Juice Bar and Eatery puts soup on the menu.

Community Soup, to be exact. And it's free to all.

"It’s really important to me because people feel that it’s just the homeless that need food services," Prana owner Jennifer Swope said as people trickled into the eatery, which is located in a small shopping center on Sunset Avenue just off Government Way.

"It could be a family where both parents just lost their jobs and all of a sudden they're stuck with a lot of bills and a lot of debt," Swope said. "Offering a meal can make a huge difference. Offering a nice warm place to come to for community purposes even, just to feel they can sit with people that share something in common at that moment in their life.”

Community Soup offers patrons freshly prepared healthy soup, bread, coffee and tea at no cost from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday. The new soup kitchen venture is a partnership between Prana and Life Center CDA Church, which had been waiting for an altruistic associate to come along.

"We had volunteers and resources, but we didn't have a specific direction," said Sean McCartin, a lead pastor at Life Center. "That's why it's such a beautiful partnership between an entrepreneurial businesswoman and a local church that wants to be a gift to this society."

Community Soup's goal is to feed the hungry while offering a warm place where people can network, make friends and feel at home.

Although the nondenominational Christian Life Center Church provides the volunteers, collects the food and permits the kitchen to run through its nonprofit status, people of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome.

“There are some people that are still finding their ways and are not connected with a church and don’t feel like that is their walk right now but they’re still in need,” Swope said. “To be able to come to a public restaurant and be able to be connected with the church and see there’s no judgment — they're here to help regardless if you’re a member, regardless of your denomination — that can do a lot for them on a personal and on a spiritual level.”

“It’s a neutral, safe environment where friendships can be formed," McCartin said. "Out of those relationships, a lot of different types of help can come to the surface. We just want to create an environment where everybody feels like they can come and be encouraged and fed with no strings attached."

Community Soup volunteers serve a guest's first bowl from a big warming pot on the counter. This allows them to connect with their patrons. A second soup pot is placed on a table outside the kitchen where guests can help themselves to more servings.

"That way if they want seconds, thirds, fourths, they’re not intimidated, they can get as much as they want," Swope said. "We want to give them some sense of dignity because you never know what their situation is and we want them to feel welcome and safe."

Welcome, safe and cozy is just how Brenda Heigel of Coeur d’Alene felt as she enjoyed a bowl of beef vegetable noodle soup. She dined near the back of the eatery, where dining room tables and cushy couches can seat about 20.

"I don't have teeth, so this soup is awesome for me," she said. "They don't make you feel less than anybody else here. You’re comfortable, welcome and it’s a warm environment.”

Swope and McCartin are determined to get the word out about Community Soup and hope to someday expand the program to include transportation for shut-ins and those without means to attend. They already have plans to use fresh local produce as soon as the growing season allows.

Community-based provider Barbara Pederson has been to Community Soup each week since it opened earlier this month, and she likes what she sees.

"At the food banks you get a lot of canned food, but here you get something that’s homemade. It’s really nice, and the people serving the food are really warm," she said. "And it’s a safe environment so we can talk about things. Anyone that has social issues, this is a nice place to go to because a lot of clients have a hard time just coming out and about in the community.

"This one is different, it’s cozier. It feels like it’s made with love."

Community Soup is located inside Prana Juice Bar and Eatery at 212 W. Sunset Ave. in Coeur d'Alene.

Info: www.lifecentercda.com