Last year’s Stewpot Alliance’s Soup’s On! on Thursday, February 20, was one of the last in-person major fundraisers held before the world scrambled down the gopher hole thanks to COVID-19.
Unfortunately with the scourge still in place, 2021 Soup’s On! Co-Chairs Becky and Larry Sykes have announced that the 13th annual fundraiser for The Stewpot will be a virtual experience at noon on Thursday, February 25.
In addition to an online art sale featuring “original pieces of art from artists at The Stewpot”, there will be chat between award-winning chef, restaurateur and humanitarian José Andrés with Dallas Morning News op-ed columnist Robert Wilonsky. The topic du jour will be “how Jose’s efforts ensure people worldwide are fed in the wake of catastrophe.”
Twice listed in Time’s “100 Most Influential People” and 2015 National Humanities Medal recipient, José has received the James Beard Foundation’s “Outstanding Chef” and “Humanitarian of the Year” awards thanks to his talents and advocacy of food and hunger issues.
It was almost 22 years ago that José launched World Central Kitchen, “a nonprofit specializing in delivering food relief in the wake of natural and humanitarian disasters.” After providing nearly 4M meals to Puerto Ricans following Hurricane Maria, WCK has continued to respond to dozens of worldwide disasters, “distributing tens of millions of meals in the process.”
In the past year it “has partnered with restaurants, small farms and community leaders around the county to combat food insecurity.”
To be part of the day’s fundraising, there are a couple of opportunities for involvement ranging from a $35 view-only ticket to single tickets beginning at $150 (includes a gift box). Of course, sponsorships plus ticket availability are available here.
Funds raised from the luncheon and art sale will go to providing meals, counseling and case management and a variety of services for those not only experiencing homelessness but those who are also at risk of being homeless.
* Photo credit: Blair Getz Mezibov