A crisp warm fall day provided the backdrop at Vassar Alumni House while over 200 participants took delight in tasting a wide variety of delicious local soups, crusty breads and delectable desserts donated by over 20 Hudson Valley restaurants and food vendors. Guests bid on over 70 donated silent auction and raffle items—ranging from framed art prints to kayak outings, from pottery bowls to drum lessons. Each Soup-A- Bowl ticket entitled the guest to select their favorite one of a kind bowl lovingly hand crafted by volunteers with the generous help of Art Centro.
Through the bountiful donations of over 40 generous sponsors Poughkeepsie Farm Project’s 9 th annual Soup-A- Bowl raised approximately $25,000, breaking all previous records!
Monies raised will be used to fund PFP's education and outreach programs and its commitment to bring thousands of pounds of fresh produce to pantries, shelters and families in need through PFP’s vital Food Share program.
Banners of sponsors and restaurants were proudly hung in the Great Hall where the Roundabout Ramblers had us dancing in our seats.
An army of volunteers (over 50) makes Soup-A- Bowl possible. Margery Groten and Tina Vaitkus co-chaired the event. Cathy and Terrence Coughlin make the magic happen in the kitchen, coordinating food donations, deliveries and service. Dan Pressler coordinated production of over 200 bowls from teaching the basics of throwing a bowl, to trimming, firing and glazing them. Tibby Fischer reached out to many of our numerous sponsors to help us reach our goal. She also donated the bright red PFP aprons worn by the volunteers! Zinnia Gutowski and Penny Dell organized the incredible array of silent auction and raffle items. Anita Kiewra coordinated all of the day of the event volunteers. Sven Thiessen posted updates on PFP’s Facebook page. And Zoe Lee made decorations and signs. PFP executive director Lee Anne Albritton and office manager Kate Dayton kept the gears oiled during the months of preparations and on the day of the event.