The Second Annual SOUPer Sunday benefit at Railroad Square attracted
more than 70 people within one hour of the event. It was spread=0
Athroughout several shops and galleries located in Railroad Square and a
$5 suggested donation gave full access to all of the soups. But soon,
despite the20rainy overcast, more soup cravers squeezed their way
through the narrow walkways in search of more samples.
“Oh, it
smells great in here,” Linda Beckman said, as she walked in the room
scented “Laine’s Quick Vegetarian Black Bean Soup.”
Beckman, a Wakulla County resident, said she learned about the event after reading an article in Wednesday’s Tallahassee Democrat. “It seemed like a fun thing to do on a Sunday,” Beckman said.
Jennifer Roberts, director of community outreach for America’s Second Harvest, watched the people circulate from one shop to another, which included Bali HI, The Other Side Vintage, 621 Gallery, Artisan Studio, The Spot at the Square and Prickly Pear, 12 Dreams, Simply Artist and Really Knit Stuff galleries.
She couldn’t help but be thrilled by the turnout. The donations will help staffers serve an increasingly larger number of residents in need.
“We’re just appreciative of any support we receive,” Roberts said.
She said the food bank works with local agencies, such as The Shelter, Refuge House and ECHO. Collectively, she said local agencies have seen an average of 9,000 more people per month in need of food-related assistance.
She said in 2007, the America’s Second Harvest served 1.7 million pounds=2 0of food and that number jumped to 2.8 last year. And now some of the people who were able to give in the past=2 0are finding themselves in need.
“It’s startling to see your donors come in and need your services. That’s scary,” Roberts said.
She said the agency didn’t have a financial goal for Sunday’s event. But last year’s event raised roughly $300.
Zan Dobson, a co-coordinator and owner of Other Side Vintage shop, said the event helped to restore her belief that people still want to help others, even during a recession.
“This is really a good problem,” Dobson said. “For some people, $5 is a lot right now so this is amazing.”
Beckman, a Wakulla County resident, said she learned about the event after reading an article in Wednesday’s Tallahassee Democrat. “It seemed like a fun thing to do on a Sunday,” Beckman said.
Jennifer Roberts, director of community outreach for America’s Second Harvest, watched the people circulate from one shop to another, which included Bali HI, The Other Side Vintage, 621 Gallery, Artisan Studio, The Spot at the Square and Prickly Pear, 12 Dreams, Simply Artist and Really Knit Stuff galleries.
She couldn’t help but be thrilled by the turnout. The donations will help staffers serve an increasingly larger number of residents in need.
“We’re just appreciative of any support we receive,” Roberts said.
She said the food bank works with local agencies, such as The Shelter, Refuge House and ECHO. Collectively, she said local agencies have seen an average of 9,000 more people per month in need of food-related assistance.
She said in 2007, the America’s Second Harvest served 1.7 million pounds=2 0of food and that number jumped to 2.8 last year. And now some of the people who were able to give in the past=2 0are finding themselves in need.
“It’s startling to see your donors come in and need your services. That’s scary,” Roberts said.
She said the agency didn’t have a financial goal for Sunday’s event. But last year’s event raised roughly $300.
Zan Dobson, a co-coordinator and owner of Other Side Vintage shop, said the event helped to restore her belief that people still want to help others, even during a recession.
“This is really a good problem,” Dobson said. “For some people, $5 is a lot right now so this is amazing.”
ealier update
If you have a craving for soup, the Railroad Square Art Park is hosting its Souper Sunday during its monthly Sunday Fair.
From
noon to 5 p.m. today, participants can purchase a bowl for $5 and
cruise the park sampling tasty homemade soups at various shops and
studios. Proceeds benefit Second Harvest of the Big Bend.
Check back at www.tallahassee.com for more updates.
