Food For Thought: Toledo SOUP

Who’s hungry to support new ideas and the development of small creative projects in Toledo?  

Toledo SOUP, another testament to the cooperative spirit found within Toledo’s inspired artistic community, will make its debut with a series of events February 11th and March 4th.  Toledo SOUP is based upon a broader model with national reach called Sunday Soup, which has been expanded and adapted by cities throughout the US as a means of grassroots fundraising for small, “outside-the-box,” creative projects that wouldn’t normally be eligible for traditional or formal grants.

Short and sweet, Toledo SOUP gatherings will draw together volunteers to prepare a hearty, homemade soup that is sold for a modest amount to those who attend.  Community project proposals will be collected in advance and presented at the meal.  Each person who purchases SOUP will receive a vote to place toward the project they would most like to see activated within the Toledo area.  The project with the most votes is instantly awarded money raised from the meal as an unrestricted grant to spark an existing imaginative project, or fuel a campaign that is currently underway.  

The proponents of the SOUP project are optimistic about the capability of the event to foster dialogue and create monetary resources for deserving individuals working toward effecting positive change.  Anneliese Gryta, who was instrumental in developing a model for SOUP adapted to northwestern Ohio states, "Toledo SOUP allows Toledoans to support the kinds of community initiatives, micro-businesses, and art projects they want to see while enjoying the diverse, democratic and creative atmosphere that we try to create at the event."

The Toledo SOUP planning committee is comprised of an array of warm-hearted and kind souls who are seeking project proposals and those hungry for the cultural advancement of Toledo.   As final guidelines for proposals are still currently being drafted, the committee is calling for for-profit or non-profit groups & individuals to start brainstorming projects that could potentially spur the visual arts, theatre, music, urban agriculture/ local food, small business, charities or other initiatives that would strengthen the cultural fiber of the Toledo area.
How to support & become involved in Toledo SOUP:

Attend “Raising the Spoon” Saturday, February 11th from 6-9pm at The Ottawa Tavern (1819 Adams Street) where SOUP committee members Ryan Bunch and Rachel Richardson will be guest bartending.  All tips from the evening will be used to purchase soup ingredients, napkins, and other items to facilitate SOUP.

Submit a proposal for potential funding. The proposal deadline is Friday, February 17th.   More information is available at http://sundaysoup.org/toledo-soup and http://www.facebook.com/ToledoSOUP.  Both sites will be updated as new information is released.  

Most importantly, attend the inaugural Toledo SOUP meal at The Historic Davis Building lobby Sunday, March 4th from 5-9pm.  Purchase your SOUP, enjoy the company of other like-minded Toledoans, and cast your ballot for the project you’d most like to see activated within the community. 


Published: 02/02/2012 7:00 am

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