About 25 women gathered at the Salvation Army on Wednesday to socialize and make favors for a local annual event.
The members of the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary were preparing for the eighth annual Souper Bowl and Bake Sale, which will be on Feb. 21 and is hosted by the group and Shoe Show, Inc.
Those who attend the Souper Bowl receive bowl of soup donated from local restaurants, crackers, a cookie and tea or water, just like what they would receive in a soup kitchen. There are also baked goods for sale, and everyone who buys a ticket receives a favor made by the Women’s Auxiliary members.
The Souper Bowl raises money to support the Salvation Army’s efforts in Cabarrus and Stanly counties. The money goes to help those in need with food, prescription drugs, the Angel Tree program, visits and gifts for nursing home residents, night shelter needs, scholarships, clothing, equipment and supplies and other things.
Just like the Souper Bowl is an annual event, gathering to make the favors every year is, as well, the members said.
“It’s great,” said Carolyn Carpenter, second vice president for the group and one of event’s chairpersons. “We all sit around and do this. It gives us time to sit and talk…We can make things and get work done for our community.”
This year’s favors for those who attend the Souper Bowl are tea bags attached to a note thanking them.
Carpenter said the group tries to have a different, low-cost favor each year. The members bring suggestions and decide together what the favor will be for that year.
There were a few newcomers, like Lynn Kirk, at the Salvation Army on Wednesday who made favors and are helping with the Souper Bowl for the first time this year.
“It was fun and rewarding,” Kirk said about working on the favors. “It’s a good social activity. You get to meet a lot of the members. They make you feel welcome and needed.”
She and fellow newcomer Betty Lancaster said they were also looking forward to attending their first Souper Bowl next month.
“They say it’s really fun, and I’m sure it does a lot of good (with) how much they are able to raise,” Lancaster said. “I’m just looking forward to experiencing it and seeing it firsthand.”
The goal for this year’s Souper Bowl is to raise more than last year’s event, Carpenter said.
Last year, the Souper Bowl brought in more than $46,000, which was a record year and much needed due to the large demand for services, she said.
The event itself will be like it has in previous years with the exception of some new soups and decorations, Carpenter said.
“I look forward to the day because it’s a great social event,” Carpenter said. “So many people come, and I really enjoy it. I get to see everybody in the community. It does so much good for our community.”
The Souper Bowl will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 21, at Forest Hill United Methodist Church, located on Union Street in Concord. The tickets are $10 each, and take out is available.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call 704-782-7822.
Contact reporter Jessica Groover: 704-789-9152
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