Soup’s On raises over $70,000 in one weekend for Alzheimer Society Huron Perth services

Alzheimer Society of Huron Perth soup makers offer some of their homemade lemon chicken orzo soup, a very popular choice with many of the area eaters, at this year’s Soup’s On event on Jan. 10. All the money raised goes to the society’s year-round and free services.

Thirty-one years ago, the board of directors and staff at the Alzheimer Society Huron Perth came up with a unique idea to raise much needed funds for the local organization.

The famed Soup’s On fundraiser has been a local hit year after year ever since.

This year’s annual event took over the community hall at the Stratford Rotary Complex on Saturday, Jan. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thousands of local Stratford and Perth County area residents packed the hall and there were about 30 soup vendors with enough variety of soups to cure anyone’s appetite, all while raising money for a good cause.

Attendees came prepared with tart tins that could hold six to eight sample cups of soup, along with their own spoons (spoons were also supplied), so they could sit down and enjoy the various soup recipes dished out by those soup makers from area restaurants and organizations. Soup flavours included beef noodle, smoked chicken chowder, mushroom French onion, cheesy bacon cauliflower, coconut curry, chicken pot pie, cozy pork wonton and tandoori cauliflower, to name only a few.

Speaking with the Times, officials with the society said the event raised $70,000 this year to support its programs and services.

In addition to tasting all the soups on offer, attendees also voted on their favourites. The results of the awards are:

• Creamy Amateur: Festival Hydro

• Hearty Amateur: The Stratford Chefs School

• Vegetarian Amateur: Stratford Winterfest

• Creamy Professional: Boston Pizza

• Hearty Professional: Chartwell Anne Hathaway Retirement Residence

• Vegetarian Professional: Soup Surreal

• Best Decorated Booth: Black Swan Brewing

• People’s Choice: Gilly’s Pubhouse.

Additionally, in the 50/50 draw a prize of $1,970 was won by Kathryn De Jong and Marilyn Reidy from the Monkton and Rostock areas.

The Alzheimer’s Society would like to thank everyone who came and enjoyed the soups while raising tens of thousands of dollars for society services. They also gave a sincere thanks to the many volunteers.

“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your incredible support at this year’s Soups On event,” said Paulina Balch, volunteer coordinator, in a social media post. “Your time, energy, and generosity made such a meaningful difference – every bowl served and every smile shared was possible because of you.

“Whether you greeted guests with a warm welcome, helped prepare hearty meals, kept things running smoothly, or supported behind the scenes, your dedication did not go unnoticed. Your passion for serving others truly made this event special and helped us bring comfort and community to those who needed it most.”