The Deep River Community Health Committee (CHC) is holding its third annual Soup for You Luncheon on Sunday, Oct. 23, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Deep River Ambulance Barn. Proceeds raised by the event benefit the Deep River Food Pantry.

This year’s event is coordinated by CHC Chairman Russ Marth, with the help of committee members Janet Klink, Grace Krick, Nancy Howard, Janice Kmetz, Kim Olson, and Claire Walsh. Area restaurants donate the soups, as well as bread, butter, and dessert. The committee hopes to raise between $500 and $1,000 with this event.

“I can’t tell you how grateful we are for the community, which really gets behind this event,” said Marth. “It’s a charity, but it is also a great places to bring the family and make a day of it.”

The idea for the soup event came from when Marth worked for Soundings Publications in Essex.

“We’d have a ‘beat Rusty’ in-house soup competition, where me and another guy would each make a soup, and the rest of the office would chip in for a cup and we would raise $70 to $80 and donate it locally,” said Marth. “We took it to another level for this.”

The Deep River CHC was founded in 2010. In addition to supporting the food pantry, the committee works to coordinate the town’s nursing program and organizes clothing drives, among other efforts to support the community’s needs. By supplying a town-specific food drive, noted Marth, they are able to redirect some of the need away from the regional food pantry.

“People in this town find it in their hearts to get behind this and other charities. We take care of our own here,” said Marth.

Participating restaurants and sponsors include Adams Hometown Market, The Blue Hound, Calamari’s Tavern, Deep River Pizza, Deep River Ambulance, Dough on Main, Fremut Service, Hally Jo’s, The Ivory, Pizzeria Da Vinci, Red House, Simon’s Marketplace, Wade’s Country Store, and the Whistle Stop Café. Marth says there will be at least 12 different soups to sample, and probably more.

Fredy Yumbla, owner of The Ivory in Deep River, is proud to support and participate in this event.

“It’s for the community,” said Yumbla. “We’ve been here for 13 years, and the community has supported us. And this time of year especially, there are so many options to try different kinds of soup, this event is a good way to put out some different flavor, show off what the Connecticut Valley area has to offer, as well as help the community.”

As to what soup The Ivory will bring, Yumbla is leaving it all in the hands of chef Wilson Yumbla, his brother.

“It’s going to be a surprise; my brother is very creative,” said Yumbla. “I know he’s going to do a good job.”

Red House is also looking forward to the luncheon, a chance to not only show off its autumn special, autumn vegetable bisque (which seems to be becoming a customer favorite), but as a chance to prove the standard of community involvement owner Marc DeTour sets out in the restaurant’s mission statement, printed straight on each menu.

DeTour, who owns the Deep River restaurant with his wife, Abby, said, “We’re supported by the community and in turn I like to give back. We focus our contributions on the tri-town area. Why do we do it? It’s as simple as it’s the right thing.

“I’m a pay-it-forward kind of guy,” DeTour continued. “I’m happy to do it—it’s not the easiest of times financially for everyone. It’s just the right thing to do.”

The Ambulance Barn is located at 284 West Elm Street in Deep River. Tickets are available at the door and are $10 per person, $7 for seniors, free for those under 12 years old. The price of admission entitles attendees to either enjoy a single soup, or sample as many as they wish.”