Blake and Marianne Bartholomew. PHOTO BY JOSHUA KODIS

If chicken soup really is ‘good for the soul,’ imagine how much good was accomplished as a result of the gallons of soup that were consumed during the 31st annual Soup Bowl fundraiser to benefit the Samaritan Center in Vero Beach, a program of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Palm Beach.

The event is based on the premise that as a community, we are “breaking bread together for the homeless” through the purchase of bowls of donated soup at local worship centers, organizations, and businesses.

At the Heritage Center location, the delicious soup was donated by local country clubs and ladled up by the Source’s Dignity Food Truck servers. This year, more than 20 other locations also served up their own tasty concoctions – everything from such old standards as chicken noodle soup to Florida-centric grouper chowders.

Indian River Clay potters once again donated more than 1,200 handmade pottery bowls, which people could purchase and take home. The local artists had lovingly handcrafted each unique bowl to support the nonprofit’s efforts to help the neediest in the community.

“Hundreds of volunteers and more than 4,000 people supported the Samaritan Center’s efforts in providing services to homeless families in Indian River County,” said Renee Bireley, Samaritan Center development manager, referencing this year’s event participants.

The Heritage Center was one of the first, if not the first, Samaritan Center Soup Bowl sites, according to Robyn Berry, Heritage Center executive director. The site again offered the largest selection of bowls and soups, with some 400 visitors stopping by.

Proceeds from the Soup Bowl, along with private donations and grants, support the Samaritan Center’s operating expenses. The Samaritan Center provides homeless families in Indian River County with transitional housing and guidance in preparation for independent living.