VERO BEACH — Early bird fever was evident, as eager diners lined up as early as 11 a.m. at many of the participating locations offering lunch as part of the Samaritan Center Soup Bowl.
The well-coordinated effort, added to and enhanced over the past 19 years, encourages restaurants and caterers, individual businesses, churches, government and medical facilities, and other non-profit organizations to come together with a single message – “Breaking bread together for the homeless.”
The lunch bunch happy slurped up gallons of a huge variety of tasty soups, from rich and creamy bisques to figure friendly vegetarian, enjoyed while catching up with neighbors and making new friends. One thing all agreed – the $5 minimum donation always makes it the best lunch deal in town.
Approximately 1,200 hand-crafted bowls, creatively thrown and glazed by talented local artists over the summer, were flying off the tables as people enthusiastically snapped them up to add to their prior year collections. Venues were also selling raffle tickets for unique, one of a kind handmade soup tureens crafted by some of the area’s top clay artists, to raise additional funds for the event.
This year, 80 restaurants supplied soup for 13 places of worship, and more than 20 businesses served up soups they created themselves. Volunteers at each location begin setting up early in the morning, picking up the soups and getting ready for the onslaught and were equally as industrious afterward, getting the venues back to order. Additionally, four locations offered soup at dinnertime, and others held private Soup Bowl parties in their homes.
“Last year was the first time we did it,” said Whitney Cuffe, who coordinated the effort at Brown & Brown Insurance on Cardinal Drive, where an enticing aroma wafted from seven large crock-pots filled with employee made soups. “We’re real supportive of United Way, and since the Samaritan Center is a United Way agency that made it a good connection for us. Last year it rained all day and we still sold out.”
A steady stream poured into Holy Cross Parish Hall to enjoy six different soups from area restaurants.
“I send a personal thank-you note to all the restaurants that donate the soups,” said Millie Gummerson coordinator at Holy Cross. “I think they should be told personally how much we appreciate what they do.”
At Christ by the Sea, Helen Perry and Judy Patt were in a quandary over which of the hand-crafted soup bowls to purchase because as Perry said, “I like them all.”
“Last year we were number three in sales,” said Andy Wainwright, coordinator at Christ by the Sea. “Soup and bowl sales have been good this year too; it’s been a good turnout overall.”
One of the busiest spots on the beach was the Indian River Shores Community Center, where Coldwell Banker Ed Schlitt volunteers were dishing up more than 20 different soups. They also offered an appetizing assortment of homemade desserts as well, including some adorable little Cake Pops made by Terry Calhoun. The group has participated in the Soup Bowl since the beginning, and made the move to the new venue just last year.
“I am amazed at the variety of soups, and dessert besides,” said Virginia Schwerin, enjoying the selections with Sally Smith.
First time coordinator Dustin Haynes was ably assisted by Kim Paskiewicz and Sharon Wininger, but all were quick to give credit to Eleanor Simon.
“She’s retired now, but she’s been doing this for the past 19 years,” said Paskiewicz.
“I was on the board of the Samaritan Center and somebody brought up the idea,” said Simon. “It went over so well, people in the office wanted to do it every month! It’s a wonderful way of giving back. It’s affordable and everyone can participate. We buy the ingredients, cook, come here and work, clean up and also all pay to eat, but we all leave feeling good about it. It’s a labor of love.
The Samaritan Center, a program of Catholic Charities and an agency of the United Way, provides transitional housing for homeless families with dependent children in Indian River County. The Soup Bowl raises awareness and money towards the daily operating budget for homeless families at the Samaritan Center.
