DEEP RIVER

Turns out chicken soup isn’t just for the soul, it’s for all parts of you, and on Sunday, Oct. 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., you can get all the soup you need at the fifth annual Soup for You Luncheon Benefit for the Deep River Food Pantry. Due to the growth of the event, this year it will be held in a new location, at the Carriage House, located at 245 Main Street in Deep River.

“You never know what you are going to get at this event, but you do know it will be good,” said Russell Marth, chairman of the Deep River Community Health Committee, which was created in 2010 by the late first selectman Dick Smith. “This is a great event; you can bring your friends and family and have a good time all for a great price, with some great food. Try all the soups if you like and you can even take out if you need to.”

Having grown in attendance over the past five years, the benefit, which was originally housed in the Town Hall auditorium its first year, was then moved to the Ambulance Barn, where it outgrew the parking lot, and is now at Carriage House, where more people and more soup can be housed.

“We are excited to be holding the event at the new location. It was so well attended in the past that we outgrew our former locations and needed a new larger place. It’s a good problem to have and we are expecting a large turnout this year,” said Marth, who has a goal of raising $12,000.

At this event there will soup to satisfying even the pickiest foodie in your group, with 15 different choices supplied by local eateries and businesses who will be ladling up a myriad of specially prepared recipes, with the hopes of pleasing even the most discerning of palates.

“The restaurants always put their best soups forward, so to speak, for this event, and they always bring something special,” said Marth. “I love them all, but I have to say the chicken soup is one of my favorites.”

He explained that the idea for this unique fundraiser came from several members of the committee who were talking about different things they do where they work to make lunch and meetings more enjoyable.

“At Soundings, where I used to work, someone would make soup, someone else would bring in some good bread, and the rest of us would chip in a couple of bucks and we would all enjoy lunch together and have some great soup. So we thought maybe this would work well for a community fundraiser,” said Marth.

For Francis Brook-Smith, owner of Dough On Main, being part of this special fundraiser for the Deep River Food Pantry is his way of giving back to the community and helping others.

“I try to do as much as I can, even though I am a small business,” said Brook-Smith, who will be serving up a tasty vegetarian lentil soup.

“I enjoy being part of this event because it is helping to support people who are hungry. It’s really helping with a basic human need and I feel like if we can help out, we should.”

Other business who will be part of the event include: Adams Hometown Market, Atwood’s Auto Appearance, Calamari’s Tavern, Chester-Deep River Lions, Deep River Pizza, Fremut Service, Hally Jo’s Cafe, The Ivory Restaurant, The Lace Factory, Pizzeria Da Vinci, Red House, The Riverwind Inn, The Villager, and Whistle Stop Café.

In addition to soup, there will also be homemade baked goods and non-alcoholic drinks available. All proceeds from the event will be used to stock the Deep River Food Pantry, which is located in the Social Services/Tri-Town Youth Services building on High Street. It is open on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons.

“This is one of our major fundraisers for the year, so we hope that everyone comes out to support us, enjoy themselves, have some wonderful food and spend a wonderful afternoon with friends and family,” said Marth.

Tickets for the event—$12 per person, $10 for seniors and children under 12—are available at the door.

On the first Sunday of each month, the Deep River Community Committee holds a collection for the food pantry at the First Congregational Church of Deep River. Items can be dropped off in the truck parked in front of the sanctuary at either church service. Donations can also be dropped off at the Deep River Town Hall or at the Food Pantry.