OUR #SouperFest 2020 VIRTUAL EVENT WAS A HIT!
On Saturday, March 28th, the community gathered together (virtually) on Facebook and Instagram to celebrate and raise awareness and funds for CCEH’s important work.
While it was different this year (as we were unable to gather in person), our online virtual event raised over $5,000 through “ticket” sales and donations! Combined with the generous contributions of our SPONSORS – #SouperFest generated over $55,000!
Click here to see many of the photos posted online for #SouperFest, and watch the video below to experience the spirit of SouperFest:
What was #SouperFest? In light of the developments with COVID-19, instead of gathering together at Rundlett Middle School, this year we asked people to join us on Facebook and Instagram.
On Saturday, March 28th, between 4:00PM and 7:00PM people shared their photos of soup they made, recipes they love, sharing soup with friends or family, or delivering soup to a neighbor. By adding #SouperFest, and tagging @concordcoalitiontoendhomelessness – anyone could see everyone else’s photos by searching #SouperFest!
Check out our Executive Director, Ellen Groh, who joined Michael Simchik, Owner, The Hotel Concord (#SouperFest Platinum Sponsor), and Greg Lessard from the Concord Food Co-op (SouperFest Sponsor) on their weekly radio show, “Community Connections” live on WTPL 107.7 The Pulse.
Why does The Hotel Concord support #SouperFest?
“I think there are two things people should be able to count on in this world – food and a place to sleep. And, I think that if we can’t all help and do whatever we can to make that a reality we’re really missing something…without those two things I feel everything else in life becomes almost relatively impossible. How do people think about getting a job if they are really concerned about where they are going to sleep tonight? How do they think about getting a job if they don’t know where their next meal is going to come from? And that’s where I think that SouperFest kind of puts it all together. The focus obviously is on homelessness. But, it also incorporates the food aspect of things too. We were pleased to be the Platinum sponsor last year and we are happy to do it again this year. I think it’s a great community event and I think it’s wonderfully supported by the people in Concord. I’m sorry this year it has to be more on the virtual side, but right now, I just think there are only one or two things that are really important in life: homelessness and trying to end homelessness is one of them.” – Michael Simchik, Owner
#SouperFest would not be possible without the generous donations from our Sponsors, Soup Chefs and wonderful volunteers throughout the community. Thank you to each and every one of you for supporting CCEH!
CLICK HERE for a complete list of the incredible 2020 Sponsors.
CLICK HERE for a list of the amazing 2020 Soup Chefs.
Ellen Fries, Honorary Chair, SouperFest 2020
I am deeply honored to be recognized in this way. As a volunteer I am not expecting recognition, kudos and honor – I’m doing what I want to because I choose to – but, it feels very special to be appreciated in this way, and again, I am deeply honored. May the hard work, caring, donations of goods, time and money by so many people to CCEH continue to move this wonderful community closer to our goal of eradicating homelessness. Everyone deserves a safe, stable, affordable place to live.
Senator Dan Feltes, Honorary Chair, SouperFest 2019
It’s an honor to help play a small role in the larger effort to combat homelessness in our community, and I am incredibly grateful for the hard work and dedication of everyone for this event and on this issue.
Mayor Jim Bouley
Honorary Chair, SouperFest 2018
I believe strongly that Concord is an incredibly caring community. That we are all willing to step up and protect our most vulnerable citizens at some of the toughest times of crisis in their lives says a lot about who we are and what we represent here in Concord. The Coalition has been an incredible partner for the City of Concord as we try, as a community, to create and implement a Plan to End Homelessness. The Plan includes housing for the most vulnerable and a permanent Winter Shelter, and attempts to address the many facets of this serious issue. I am therefore pleased to have the opportunity to serve as the Honorary Chair and in that capacity, I ask you to please support SouperFest 2019.
The History of SouperFest
SouperFest began as SoupFest, the brainchild (or heart-child) of “Mr. Jim” Kinhan, and was an event organized by the South Congregational Church Seniors to raise a little money for some in-house efforts and to bring people together. In its fourth year, Mr. Jim offered to connect the event with CCEH as a fundraiser. Due to its growing popularity as a community-wide gathering, SoupFest moved to a larger space (Rundlett Middle School), and SoupFest was expanded to include FunFest, and it became SOUPER!
SouperFest now welcomes over 800 people for an afternoon FunFest including bouncy house, music and games, cotton candy, popcorn and more; and an evening SoupFest featuring delicious homemade soups, artisan breads and desserts. SouperFest raises public awareness about CCEH and our work to end homelessness in this community, while raising funds to support ALL of our important programs.