Growth, Gratitude, and Giving Back
/by Suzanne DeYoung
Does anyone else feel like February is a limbo month? Are we still in winter? If so, then why do I see crocuses on my hikes? It's also the short month, the month when you can normally kick back and wait until March to really get things rolling. Well, this February at La Soupe has been incredibly busy. As I alternate between winter and spring clothing (sweatshirt with a T-shirt or not), I'm also looking forward to a few super exciting events for La Soupe this spring.
After nearly a year of waiting, we are FINALLY cutting the ribbon on our new basement facility and dock! These spaces will be ready for use starting March 11th. This will hopefully alleviate some of the pinch points we've recognized—much needed cooler and freezer capabilities and a rerouting of our loading dock. We appreciate the hundreds of people who come to our dock weekly to facilitate our rescue and share programs. This new design will alleviate the backup at the dock and get you on your way in a much quicker and safer time period. We recognize there will be kinks in the beginning as we work through the logistics in real-time, but I am certain all of the headaches that come with exponential growth will help us in the efficiency of incoming food and outgoing meals.
We also have a new event in the planning this spring. We will be sending out details very soon, but I am excited knowing we have a very meaningful and family-friendly event for you. So, SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, April 14th. We will be celebrating our incredible volunteers in conjunction with Earth Month, dusting off our ENORMOUS paella pan for the first time in 2024, and building experimental and fun stations to engage your kids. If you and your family have wondered about all that La Soupe is to our city and our planet, this is the perfect FREE event for you and your curious kids!
On behalf of our team, I would like to acknowledge another volunteer for La Soupe, Beverly Kinney, who was suddenly and tragically taken from our lives. At 86 years young, her very curious mind, watchful eyes, and compassionate heart made her such a joy to us and all who knew her. Her passing was yet another reminder that tomorrow is never guaranteed. I don’t feel like I need reminders to live a life of passionate purpose, but it also makes me pause to think.
On a final thought for February, this week, I humbly accepted The Star of Ukraine award at a touching candlelight vigil, hosted by the Sister City Program of Kharkiv and Cincinnati. Two years ago, when Russia invaded Ukraine, I found myself staring at the events unfolding as if I was watching a rewind of my family's history through World War 2. It is hard to imagine that one day you are living a normal everyday life, and the next, you have German Nazis taking your eldest son and occupying your home, relegating you to the floor to sleep, and cooking for those that now live with you. But that is what happened 80 years ago, and history has repeated itself in Ukraine. Like so many others, I wanted to do SOMETHING to help Ukraine, and Pierogis for Peace was launched. With the help of our most generous chef community who prepared their signature stuffing, 8000 pierogis were rolled, stuffed, and cooked by a very small team of volunteers, utilizing the off-hours of La Soupe. We raised over $100,000 at the OTR Stillhouse on a beautiful evening with 400 people sampling, drinking, and simply just being together after COVID. It was such a beautiful and delicious display of solidarity with a country that I knew little about, but whose story was hauntingly familiar.
La Soupe is growing in innumerable ways as we continue to use our passion, purpose, and curiosity of life, to make a difference in the time we have in this beautiful life.