CCA’s Annual Soup Fundraiser Returns March 18 in Salamanca to Support Cattaraugus County Food Pantry Network
CCA’s Annual Soup Fundraiser Returns March 18 in Salamanca to Support Cattaraugus County Food Pantry Network
Connecting Communities in Action invites the community to enjoy take-out soups from local restaurants while supporting vital nutrition programs across Cattaraugus County.
On a chilly late winter day, few things are more warming and comforting than a bowl of hot soup! On Wednesday, March 18th, enjoy your fill of soup for lunch or dinner (or both!) and support an important local non-profit through Connecting Communities in Action’s Annual Soup Fundraiser. Hosted from 10:00-2:00pm at CCA (25 Jefferson St., Salamanca), the soup fundraiser is take-out style with delicious options prepared by local chefs and restaurants. You won’t want to miss out on this annually anticipated event!
Jacob Fellows, Director of Nutrition Services at CCA, invites all to the fundraiser, which has been running for several years and has developed quite a following. This year’s selection of nine soups includes the following:
• Butternut Bisque by Dina’s
• Loaded Baked Potato Soup by Duper’s
• Tomato Bisque by EBC
• Blue Mushroom Soup by Katy’s Cafe
• Lobster Bisque by Lucia’s on the Lake
• Corn Soup by Mama Bear’s Munchies
• Zuppa Toscana by Sixth South Pizza
Fellows is pleased to share that this year’s selection also includes soups made by CCA leaders, including CCA CEO Andrew Studley (aka Chef Andy), who is making chicken wing soup, and Fellows himself, who is making Tuscan Bean Soup.
Pre-orders can be placed for individual soup orders ($5 for 12 ounces or $10 for 24 ounces) or combos of three 12-ounce soups for $12 or three 24-ounce soups for $25. Email info@ccaction.org for a pre-order form, as very limited walk-in orders will be accepted.
Fellows explained that all funds raised through the soup fundraiser will “be used to purchase any sort of shelf-stable food items that we may need in the future for our pantry customers.” CCA’s food pantry is open five days a week, from 9:00am-3:00pm, but their support goes far beyond their Salamanca location. “We have gleaning operations where we go to local stores and we pick up food that is about to be outdated, which we then distribute through our pantry, and then the other pantries within the Cattaraugus County pantry network,” Fellows explained. “We serve as the hub for all the pantries in Catt. County… We also have the Lighthouse Soup Kitchen [at CCA] that runs Monday through Thursday from 3:00-4:00pm and gives out warm meals to the community.”
Additionally, CCA has started three new projects as part of their nutrition services, which are provided for by the Social Determinants of Health grant. “The one that’s most successful and has been doing the most work is our Mobile Food Pantry,” Fellows noted. “We have five locations, which include Randolph, Gowanda, Cattaraugus, Machias, and Little Valley, and we’re going to expand it to a few more locations, most likely this summer.” Another new project, which is in partnership with BOCES, is a weekend backpack program that sends food home with children for the weekend. Fellows said, “It’s two breakfasts, two lunches, two milks, two drinks, two snacks, and it’s all shelf stable.” The third new program, which is just getting started, is the Food is Medicine program, which Fellows looks forward to sharing with the community soon.
In addition to supporting the important and comprehensive work of CCA’s nutrition services, the soup fundraiser is also an opportunity to try something new from a favorite (or perhaps new favorite) local restaurant! Fellows added that the fundraiser features a friendly competition, as soups will be judged and prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Additionally, there is a Kid’s Choice Award, which will be judged by children from the Salamanca Youth Center.
“We do enjoy this fundraiser,” Fellows shared. “I know the community very much enjoys this fundraiser, too, so that’s a real plus to us doing it every year. All the comments we get back from locals are absolutely wonderful, so we’re hoping it’s going to be another success this year.”
Now is the time to place your pre-order for the soups of your choice! Each order of $25 or more will receive a free CCA commemorative bowl. Those who have questions or would like to receive more information can contact CCA’s main number at 716-945-1041 or email info@ccaction.org.