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Never too many chefs at Soups On

Many volunteers and volunteer groups contribute to Soups On every week, but there's always room for more.

Soup’s On is well into its fifth year in Ashcroft. It is held every Friday from 11 am to 1 pm at St Alban’s Church Hall (501 Brink St.) and is hosted with many thanks by a variety of church and community groups. On occasion, Zion United Church hosts the luncheon in its hall when there are schedule conflicts at St Alban’s - many thanks to the congregation at Zion United for stepping in and graciously hosting on those days.

Each week you can expect to have choices in soups available (with a vegetarian option), buns from our local Ashcroft Bakery, fresh vegetables and fruits served with dip or as salads along with homemade baked desserts. Such abundance and generosity from our community members!

During the summer and fall there are vegetables and fruits brought by neighbours and friends for our guests to take home for their and their family’s use.

There are people who work in the background supporting us in ways you may not know - our local South Cariboo Elizabeth Fry Society donates surplus and suitable items they receive which are a great help to the program. Often the coffee you drink is coffee from our local roaster at Beans Roasted Rite, and Bernice has generously donated time and materials, sewing beautiful aprons for the groups hosting the luncheons. Watch for them being worn by our hosting team.

Many thanks as well to our local AA and Al-Anon groups for their donations which happen in the background without the knowledge of many community members.

There are young people who come forward and help with table clearing without ever being asked whenever they come as guests for lunch. And others who have their lunch and then pop in and ask if help is needed with clean up. Many thanks to all those extra hands which certainly lighten the work load!

And, being a community connections program means many people give financial donations for their meals. You may wonder what happens to those donations - the funds are split between our local Food Bank at the South Cariboo Elizabeth Fry office and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. That means we (you) give back locally and internationally. The program supports people in need in our own communities as well as helps to support people in other countries with food and sustainable farming practices. So everything that happens through the Soup’s On Program keeps on giving - locally and globally.

Many thanks to everyone who participates in this valuable program - you probably had no idea of the impact of your work and generosity.

One last thing - a program such as this is always in need of people to volunteer some time to help keep the program running. Your commitment would be to be put together with others on a team to host a luncheon approximately once every two months. If you are able to assist us to keep the program operating for our community members, call 250 453-2053 to let us know, or speak with someone you see working at Soup’s On when you join us for a delicious luncheon experience!!!

Martina Baier