Warm Up at the Souper Bowl
You don’t have to be out in the cold for a bowl of soup at the 15th annual Souper Bowl Jan. 30 at Crowne Plaza, 1741 Paper Mill Road, Wyomissing. The event from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. is held to benefit the Opportunity House (OH), a nonprofit serving Berks County for thirty-two years.
A preview event party will be held at 4:30 p.m. for those who want first pick of a bowl in addition to appetizers, wine and beer and music by Grammy-award winner David Cullen. Tickets are $80 in advance and available at https://opphouse.org/events/15th-annual-souper-bowl-8#tickets or $85 at the door.
If you are a collector of original art this will be an unbelievable opportunity for you, too!
Most bowls have been crafted by 13 local middle and high schools, a university and one church. “They really are works of art,” Kathy says. The Goggleworks Center for the Arts, Reading, and other studios offered bowl-making classes. But local artists will be donating their bowls during a silent auction at the event.
In all more than six hundred pieces of art (bowls made of clay, ceramic, glass and other mediums) will be offered for the taking.
The fundraiser features thirty restaurants competing for prizes for their homemade soup and recipes. Also, desserts as well as wine tastings will be offered. “You will feel very full after leaving the event,” Kathy adds.
Tickets cost $30 in advance and can be purchased at all Boscov stores or online at https://opphouse.org/events/15th-annual-souper-bowl-8#tickets. Tickets are $35 at the door. Wear a jersey representing your favorite football team at the event and be entered in a door-prize drawing!
According to Kathy Haggerty-Kase, OH director of annual giving, what began as a simple program for homeless men has grown into a seventy-five-bed shelter. These men are provided their basic needs including meals and clothing, she says. And clients who are goal-oriented, receive life skills education and aftercare services in addition to transitional and permanent housing.
Souper Bowl offers many volunteer opportunities for corporate companies, the Girl and Boy scouts and individuals who just want to help.
For more information about this event or other OH programs, visit opphouse.org or call 610.374.4696.
Original article published in The Reading Merchandiser, January 2017.
