Twenty-two soups in all. Would you like split pea or loaded baked potato? Perhaps dill pickle or Hungarian cauliflower? More than 300 members of the Wyandotte, Mich., community gobbled up delicious hot and hearty fare at Soup Day earlier this year. It was the long-anticipated return of a beloved fundraising tradition for the corps that had been tabled during the pandemic.
The corps took in about $2,700 in proceeds which will benefit its food pantry and meal-share program, said Lt. Audrey Sutter, who leads at the Downriver Corps with her husband, Lt. Shawn Sutter. It was held at The Grecian Center banquet hall which graciously donated space for the event.
“Everyone who participated in Soup Day loved being a part of it,” she said. “So many people came out to support us.”
For admission, guests could sample generous cups of all varieties.
The scrumptious soup was prepared by local businesses including Rhapsody, Famous Dave’s and the JoBrighton Skills Center, a higher-education center for special-needs students who prepared a dessert-style soup filled with strawberries, chocolate and whipped cream.
“That dessert soup went fast,” said Lt. Audrey.
Guests voted for their favorite soup. The winner? It was a tie between the TV Diner’s lobster bisque and the Big Bear Lodge’s white chicken chili.
Lt. Shawn said he is full of gratitude for the community’s support.
“This is the first time my wife and I have experienced Soup Day, and it was a fantastic event,” he said, having been appointed to the Downriver Corps in July 2021. “We had several people who want to plan and organize it next year.”
Lt. Audrey added, “People were so glad it was back and so thankful we could be doing this together. They were digging into soup and enjoying themselves. We are thankful for the volunteers, our volunteer coordinator, our staff and, of course, the Lord. In everything we do we want to serve Him.”
