The sounds of pans clattering and the smell of fresh baked goods were in the air Tuesday at Trinity Episcopal Church as Neighbor to Neighbor held its Soup Fundraiser.
“This is our fifth year and it keeps growing,” said Charlotte England, organizer of fundraiser organizer and Neighbor to Neighbor executive director. “The more the public hears about it, the more it grows.”
The idea for the soup fundraiser came from England after then-Neighbor to Neighbor Board President David Beck asked her for a idea for a fundraiser.
“I just love soup and I knew this would be a idea that could work,” England said. “Any time food is involved, the community usually comes out.”
During the soup fundraiser, Neighbor to Neighbor board members make various soups and sell them to the public on the Tuesday after Martin Luther King Jr. day. Some of the more popular soups are the so-called “celebrity soups,” which come from various restaurants, businesses, doctors, public officials and more.
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“Our celebrity soups always go fast,” England said. “We usually have the same soups every year, so when people miss out on the soup they wanted from the last year, they usually show up early next year to make sure they are the first in line. Our most popular soup today was the chicken and dumpling soup. The whole kitchen was covered in flour at one point, we were making so many dumplings.”
There were also many different desserts sold at the fundraiser, including many different kinds of cupcakes.
“We have sold hundreds and hundreds worth of soups and desserts,” England said. “It has been a busy day. People showed up early this morning to make sure they had soup for their lunch and more will show up when they get off work. We have received some great community support.”
All the money from the fundraiser goes to Neighbor to Neighbor food pantry.
“We give out at least 3,000 lunches a month,” England said. “We also give out around 700 senior citizen bags and emergency food a month. The fundraiser makes sure we can keep helping people in need. That is why I want to thank the community for supporting us here.”
Anyone interested in buying leftover soup can call Neighbor to Neighbor at 870-534-2883 to see if there is anything left, England said.