Concord event raises funds to fight homelessness
By Jill Lessard
[email protected]
Savor a cup of soup while contributing to a worthy cause at the 15th annual SouperFest on Saturday, March 23, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the City Wide Community Center, 14 Canterbury Road, in Concord. The event features a variety of soups prepared by area restaurants, and all proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the Concord Coalition to End Homelessness (CCEH).
Participating eateries include Alexandra’s Bistro (broccoli cheddar), The Barley House (pumpkin apple bisque), Concord Co-Op (TBD), Flanagan’s South Ender (turkey pot pie), Karner Blue Cafe (chicken noodle), Maddy’s Food Hub (peanut soup), The Post Downtown (roasted garlic and Parmesan tomato bisque), Red Blazer Restaurant & Pub (turkey pot pie), Revival Kitchen & Bar (lemon chicken rice), The Works Bakery & Cafe (lentil) and more.
CCEH’s mission, as stated on its website, is to eliminate chronic homelessness; support and quickly re-house people who have recently become homeless; and build a system that effectively responds to the diverse needs of people experiencing homelessness. The organization’s SouperFest (originally called Soup Fest) started in 2009 as a modest church-based fundraiser and has grown into a major community event that raises tens of thousands of dollars.
“CCEH hopes to raise $75,000 from SouperFest, and to generate public awareness and support for CCEH’s work and ultimately end homelessness in our community,” said Kate Gallagher, CCEH’s Director of Development & Communications, in an email. “We anticipate roughly 200 people to attend, and we hope that families at the Community Center for their regularly scheduled Saturday activities will join us, as well as neighbors of the Community Center. This year we’re focusing on the soup and the community atmosphere. We’re also using SouperFest as the kickoff to our 15th birthday celebrations, so we’ll have a celebratory atmosphere happening as well!”
It takes a village for events like SouperFest to be produced, and Gallagher is grateful for the contributions of myriad community members.
“We have a wonderful group of business and organizational sponsors…. We also rely on the 12 area restaurants who donate the soup for the event,” she said. She also noted the volunteers who make it all work on the day of the event.
When asked about the current situation in the Concord region, Gallagher said, “CCEH has worked hard over the past few years … through our street outreach efforts and our ‘by-name list.’ Not only do we feel very confident in the numbers, we know the names of the individuals within that count.” She reported that as of the end of December 2023 there were 499 individuals experiencing homelessness in Merrimack County, 313 of whom had been without permanent housing for over a year, and each month on average 22 people become homeless and 12 people become housed.
The housing market has been rough, Gallagher noted.
“We are in a historic housing crisis, with rental vacancy rates in New Hampshire at less than one percent,” she said. “And while finding and securing housing for individuals remains difficult — for anyone, never mind someone who has no or poor credit, has an eviction on their record, has history with the justice system, or is holding a rental assistance voucher — CCEH helped 90 people secure permanent housing since January 2021.”
SouperFest
When: Saturday, March 23, 11:30am to 1:30pm
Where: Concord Community Center, 14 Canterbury Road, Concord
Cost: $5 for one 8-ounce cup of soup; $20 for a bundle of five cups. First come, first served.
For more information or to make a donation, visit concordhomeless.org
Featured Photo: Past SouperFest. Courtesy photo.
