Local soup kitchen stars in 'Undercover Boss Canada'

Bob Johnston thought nothing of it when a lady came into the Blue Door Soup Kitchen.

Johnston is a member of the public relations committee for the Blue Door Soup Kitchen. The lady said she was travelling across Canada scouting for a documentary about soup kitchens.

"She got back to me three or four weeks later and said 'We'd like to do a professional documentary on the soup kitchen,'" Johnston said.

"Then a camera crew came in and said they were going to bring in a volunteer for me to train," he said.

Johnston said the volunteer was a nice, caring woman. Again, Johnston thought nothing of it.

It wasn't until four weeks later that Johnston found out the crew was from "Undercover Boss Canada" and the volunteer was actually the executive director of Food Banks Canada, Katherine Schmidt.

This year's season of "Undercover Boss Canada" focuses on charities and sends senior executives in as disguised workers to find out what really goes on inside their own organizations.

In this week's episode, which happens to be the season premiere, Schmidt visits four different food banks across Canada including Richmond, B.C., Saskatoon, Sask., Mississauga and Sudbury. The program will focus on the challenges food banks face and the personal stories of amazing volunteers.

"We have great volunteers and we're like a second family," Johnston said. "I'm very proud of the Blue Door Soup Kitchen."

Traditionally, the show thanks employees and volunteers with generous gifts, but Johnston has been sworn to secrecy and wouldn't confirm or deny that the soup kitchen received a reward in appreciation for its outstanding work.

"You'll have to watch the show to find out."

Tune in to see the Blue Door Soup Kitchen on "Undercover Boss Canada" on Sept. 19 at 9 p.m. on the W Network.