News

Catholic Charites’ Samaritan Center will be holding its 30th Annual Soup Bowl fundraising event on Thursday, November 3rd, 2022, at a limited number of locations this year. Places of worship and local businesses will provide their own soup. Lunch will be served from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm and dinner locations will be served from 4:30 - 7:00 pm.

Indian River Clay will oversee the pottery production, and ALL Pottery Bowls will be available for view/purchase on Thursday, November 3, 2022, from 9:00 am-5:00 pm only at the Heritage Center, in downtown Vero Beach. The donation requested for each bowl is $15.

“The Soup Bowl has always been a county ritual,” said Renee Bireley, Development Manager. “Soup Bowl originated more than 29 years ago when the Samaritan Center Advisory Board brainstormed ideas on a community fundraiser that would bring awareness to the homeless population and would be affordable enough for everyone to attend. From that meeting, Soup Bowl was born. The minumum donation continues to be $5 for a bowl of soup and $15 for a quart container of ‘soup-to-go’; however, the idea is to donate what you would have spent on that meal had you gone out to eat instead’

We are thrilled to announce the Soup Bowl Pottery Workshops started at our community partner, Indian River Clay several months ago. More than 1,200 wheel-thrown and hand-built bowls will be created on and off campus by volunteer potters. Indian River Clay is a nonprofit clay studio with over 60 members, founded in 2018 to promote the learning and development of pottery skills.

Vero Heritage Executive Director, Heather Stapleton stated “Recently, organizers made me aware that in 1994, the Heritage Center was one of the very first, if not the first, locations for the Samaritan Center’s Soup Bowl. What a delightful surprise to know that we are carrying on this tradition! We are pleased to play a part in such an important community tradition. As Vero Beach’s first community building, it is a privilege to continue building community.”

“Our center was built by a community coming together in 1990 to donate funds to build our facility. Now, the whole community continues to come together alongside local nonprofit initiatives each year to support us with Soup Bowl. The community can once again come out and support homeless families,” commented Renee.

To learn more about Catholic Charites’ Samaritan Center or get more information about Soup Bowl, please call 772-770-3039 or email Renee Bireley at rbireley@ccdpb.org

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About Samaritan Center
Samaritan Center is a transitional residential facility for homeless families with dependent children in Indian River County. We offer a structured step-based program and with a 24-hour staff. We help homeless families develop the life skills needed for successful reintegration into mainstream society. Admission is open to families of all faiths. Samaritan Center is a core program of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach and a funded partner of the United Way and the Indian River County Children’s Service Advisory Council. This event raises awareness and much needed funding for the homeless families served by Samaritan Center.

About Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach provides 11 social service programs and ministries at eight locations throughout the Diocese of Palm Beach. Established in 1984, Catholic Charities responds to the needs of the poor and most vulnerable by providing quality programs that serve children, families, and homeless. Catholic Charities of the five-county Diocese of Palm Beach respects life in all of its stages. In living our faith, we create hope for people in need, without regard to religion. Through our programs and ministries, we empower individuals, deliver social services, and collaborate with others in building just and compassionate communities.
Visit www.ccdpb.org