Prinsess Futrell, executive director at Home and Hope, gives a presentation at Peninsula Soup.
Gathering people for soup has long been considered a form of charity, but a new nonprofit is giving it a modern twist by providing a forum for microdonations to worthy causes.
Through Peninsula Soup, Carole Wilson and Judy Gordon have created a way to draw people in to hear four short presentations before eating, with each one consisting of a project to help Bay Area communities. During dinner, guests can discuss the presentations before casting their vote on the winning project.
What started as just an idea, Peninsula Soup has flourished with supporting team members Mary Paolini, Rosemary MacLeod, Yvette Jonsson and Deirdre Marblestone.
“We started Peninsula Soup because we noticed that there was nothing like it in the area,” said Wilson.
During the first dinner, 54 people showed up to Qube Bar and Grill restaurant in San Mateo, Sept. 9, to hear the first four presenters. They were Pied Piper Players, a youth theater group; CORA; Puente de la Costa Sur and Little Free Igloo Lending Library. Puente de la Costa Sur won the vote and left with $592, said Wilson.
Puente de la Costa Sur is a multi-service agency that advocates for diverse communities on the south coast of San Mateo County by supporting programs that provide the community with economic, financial stability, health and education.
“We received a little over $500 and we supported three students with that funding. One student attending Sonoma State had her car window broken, so we helped her pay for her books. The other two are in 12th-grade and we helped them pay for more college applications that their grants didn’t cover,” said Rita Mancera, Puente’s executive director.
Peninsula Soup asks for a $10 donation. Although there are no income or eligibility requirements and the goal remains the same, pushing forward innovative ways to fight hunger and build stronger communities. For a chance to win the grant, projects will be judged based on its value to the community, creativity, and ability to execute. All presentations must be completed in four minutes.
“It was nerve-racking to present, but it was a good investment, even if we didn’t win because we were able to get exposure and I loved hearing others and how they support the community. It’s hard that there’s only one winner, but I think if they continue to invite more people there will be more momentum,” said Mancera.
Gordon said their biggest obstacle is the space needed to seat the growing quantity of guests, therefore making them reconsider raising the suggested donation price.
“We haven’t decided if we will be charging more because we want to make sure that we aren’t keeping anyone away who wants to hear about helping the community,” said Gordon.
The entire meal was donated by Steve Sarver, the owner of Urban Bistro in Burlingame. It had three types of soup, three types of salad and bread.
The events are quarterly and the second one was held Jan. 13, also at Qube Bar and Grill. At that event, 84 people showed up and $850 was donated to the California Clubhouse, a social and vocational rehabilitation program that supports those diagnosed with mental illnesses, said Wilson.
The next Soup will be held at the Peninsula Boys and Girls Club since the previous location was outgrown. For more information go to the group’s Facebook or Instagram page @peninsulasoup.
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