Soup’s On! embodies Rotary’s hard work

The Rotary Club of Naperville recently held its fourth annual Soup’s On! event to end regional hunger and homelessness. A record 2,000 people visited the beautiful Tellabs atrium to partake in myriad scrumptious foods, desserts and beverages donated by a variety of the area’s best loved restaurants and food purveyors.

Fabulous donated silent auction items encouraged eager bidders. Entertainment provided by the talented students of Naperville school districts 203 and 204 captivated guests throughout the afternoon. Even young children had an area devoted to them, staffed by the DuPage Children’s Museum. A feeling of warmth and abundance created a welcoming ambience.

We, representing the three charities benefiting from this event, are humbled and elated to each receive over $40,000 from the generosity of Rotarians and our community. These funds will make a tremendous impact on our organizations as we serve unprecedented numbers of hungry and homeless families in Naperville, DuPage and Kane counties over the holidays and throughout the difficult winter months.

All of us thank the community for its support, and the tireless commitment of all of the Rotary Club members who made the event possible. We applaud the outstanding leadership of Frank Slocumb, event co-chairman, and Bill and Karen Garlough of My Chef Catering, co-chair and founders of the event. Their outstanding organizational skills inspired many Rotarians to volunteer their time over the past year to create this wonderful vehicle to support our community and embody the Rotarian commitment to Service Above Self.

We all dream of a day without hunger and homelessness, and thank all the Rotarians whose donation of time, talent and treasure will improve the lives of thousands of people will throughout this winter.

Ryan Dowd

Executive director

Hesed House, Aurora

Charles McLimans

Executive director/CEO

Loaves & Fishes Community Pantry, Naperville

Carol Simler

Executive director, DuPage PADS

Wheaton