NILES — Stevie Toman kept his truck stocked with supplies to distribute to homeless people across Michiana. Whether it was food, a clean pair of shoes or merely the will to listen and see someone struggling as a human being, Toman always seemed prepared to help.

Perhaps his compassion came in part from facing his own battles. Toman struggled with drug addiction, and when he found sobriety, he made it his mission to connect others with a brighter path.

Toman was 30 years old when he died in 2015 from complications related to drug addiction. His legacy to continue to help others, however, will live on in the Niles community.

On Sunday, family, friends and community members gathered at Mount Calvary Baptist Church to commemorate Stevie’s Soup Kitchen. The event was a partnership between Blended Life Center and Euphoric Stage, a community arts center.

Kim Savage, the executive director of Blended Life, has been operating a local soup kitchen as part of her nonprofit’s efforts since the start of the year. Savage heard about Toman’s story from a family member while she was running the 11th Harvest Café, where the soup kitchen was formerly located.

Savage said she decided that commemorating the soup kitchen in Toman’s name would be an ideal way to honor a resident’s memory and mission to help others.

The soup kitchen will be supported through donations and will be open from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on the last Sunday of the month. Those interested in donating can visit, Blended Life Center’s website at blendedlifecenter.com.

During the event Sunday, family members shared memories of Toman and his efforts to better his community. Toman’s family moved around a bit, but he lived part of his life in Niles. 

Since his death, Toman’s sister, Shannon Antipov, of Hinsdale, Illinois, said stories have poured in from people across Michigan and Indiana who were touched by Toman’s efforts. 

“Whatever he could do to help, he was there to help them,” Antipov said. “He would come to my house and say, ‘I need a little girl’s size five shoe. This little girl at Hope doesn’t have shoes.’”

Antipov said he served as a role model for other young men struggling with addiction, frequently providing his own home as a haven for them to crash.

His compassion to help others was likely because he faced similar struggles himself as a drug addict, Antipov said. Toman got help with his drug addiction through a faith-based home. After reaching sobriety, she said he wanted to help others find support, too.

“He was on fire to help people and never wanted anyone to feel the way he felt,” Antipov said. “He was so passionate about trying to save people.”

Toman’s friend Jud Robinett, of South Bend, said they used to spend free time wake surfing at Indian Lake.

“[Stevie] was a funny, charismatic and caring person,” Robinett said. “He really tried to help everyone he could. We also really had a lot of fun together. He was just a mix of helping others and fun.”

Stevie’s father, Steve Toman, said his son accomplished a lot in his life, including being a model for Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister. Toman was discovered while walking on a beach when the family lived in California.

Steve said he had also heard a lot about his son helping others.

“I don’t know how many times we have had people come up to us and told us that he actually saved their life,” Steve said. “The thing about Stevie was he never bragged about what he was doing.”

Toman’s family said it meant a lot to know that a soup kitchen in his honor will continue his mission to help the community.

“It was a feeling of euphoria [when we found out about the opportunity],” Antipoc said. “We were happy but crying at the same time. We are just so proud. You can go down a bad path and live life in misery or you can [take what you get] and turn it into a good thing.”

Toman’s family also started a foundation in his honor called Stevie’s Hope. The foundation provides backpacks filled with necessities for the homeless.

For her part, Alicia Koch, owner of Euphoric Stage, said she donates office space to Blended Life Center and also helps to volunteer at the soup kitchen.

She said a soup kitchen where people can come and find some comfort is what Niles needs.

“I’m hoping it brings more healing to Niles,” Koch said. “We had this young man with everyone ahead of him. There’s no stereotype for [addiction]. There are good people that struggle. It doesn’t make them bad. They are good people with big hearts, but everyone has a struggle.”