Rotary's final Soup's On helps the hungry, homeless

Slurping soup to benefit "soup kitchens" that help the hungry and homeless has become an eight-year tradition for the Rotary Club of Naperville.

This year's Soup's On charity luncheon, set for 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, in Naperville Central High School, will feature soups, sandwiches, sliders, chili, wings and desserts served up by about 25 area restaurateurs who have donated the entire menu.

Over the past seven years, the Rotary Club of Naperville has raised about $800,000 for area charities through the event, said Nina Menis, president-elect of the service organization.

"It's really a collaborative event," Menis said. "It really goes to providing services. We really do change lives."

While Soup's On has been a successful fundraiser, drawing crowds of supporters each year, Menis said Rotary has decided this year's event will be the last Soup's On. The organization is billing it as its "Farewell Food Tour" on the event website, soupsonrotary.com.

"It is going to be very special and something people don't want to miss," Menis said. "We're so grateful to the restaurants that have partnered with us."

The event was launched by the Rotary Club of Naperville in partnership with My Chef Catering. In addition to an extensive lunch menu, Soup's On offers a silent auction, raffle prizes, entertainment by students in Naperville Unit District 203 and Indian Prairie Unit District 204 schools, and a children's area hosted by the DuPage Children's Museum.

Menis said Soup's On was introduced in 2008 as the successor to the Rotary's Oktoberfest celebration. She said the club's leadership is mulling options for a new event to replace Soup's On.

"I think it's always great to freshen things up after a while," she said. "Every time you do something for a while, you're looking to change things up a bit. We've loved Soup's On. We're going to replace it with a new signature event that will be a benefit to the community."

Menis said a new event may not necessarily be presented in October next year.

"We are looking at different opportunities, different times of year," she said.

And the charities to benefit from a new Rotary event haven't yet been designated, she said.

"The committee hasn't narrowed it yet. We still have a lot of ideas on the table," she said.

This year, Loaves and Fishes Community Services, Hesed House and DuPage PADS will receive proceeds from the event, as they have in years past.

Menis said the club is pleased to have had a hand in helping to ease hunger and homelessness in the area through the efforts of these charities.

"It all goes back to our motto, service above self, as Rotarians," she said.

DuPage PADS Executive Director Carol Simler said the Wheaton-based organization, which provides overnight housing and other social services, has received a total of $246,247 in proceeds from Soup's On over the past seven years. The money has been used for general operations and case management, she said.

"It certainly does provide a meaningful addition to our budget," Simler said. "We've been very thankful. We will have to find another source of income."

Simler said Soup's On is not only an effective fundraiser, it brings the community together for a common cause.

"It really is a friend-raiser as well," she said, adding that several PADS volunteers have been recruited at the luncheon event.

"Soup's On has been an extreme blessing to many in our community," said Michael Cobb, executive director of Hesed House, an Aurora shelter for the homeless. "The event, to date, has helped us move 200 individuals from homelessness to self sufficiency. It's just a huge blessing to so many folks."

Cobb said Hesed House has received a total of $237,000 in funding from the event.

Cobb said no plans have been finalized for how Hesed House will compensate for funding losses if Rotary elects not to continue its support. But, he said, Hesed House is grateful for the support it has received.

"This particular event stands alone," he said. "Hesed House is really in the hearts of our Naperville family."

Loaves and Fishes Community Services, which operates a food pantry and provides other social services, has received between $30,000 and $40,000 each year from Soup's On, said Megan Selck, president and CEO.

"It has a huge impact with our efforts in serving our clients," Selck said. "The donations we receive from Rotary are significant."

Selck said 150,000 people visited the food pantry in the past year; each week, 800 families receive food pantry assistance.

The funds from Soup's On help the pantry stock its shelves, she said.

"It basically goes toward the food," she said. "Ninety-seven cents of every dollar we receive goes toward supporting our mission."

Selck said Loaves and Fishes leaders currently are discussing ways to increase donations in view of Soup's On's departure.

"It'll be an impact," Selck said.

If you go

What: Soup's On

Why: Proceeds benefit Loaves and Fishes Community Services, Hesed House and DuPage PADS

When: 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18

Where: Naperville Central High School, 440 W. Aurora Ave., Naperville

Tickets: $45 for adults, $35 for seniors and military, $10 for ages 6 to 10; free for younger children

Info: soupsonrotary.com