Messiah Lutheran hosts Soup Bowl Fundraiser

This year, the Messiah Lutheran Church hosted the Hamilton County Backpack Program’s annual Soup Bowl Fundraiser on Thursday, Feb. 19.
Program co-founder Pat Pickering said it was a positive turnout with visitors taking time to enjoy soup within the warmth of the church. With a total of 120 bowls sold and $3,000 raised after expenses, the money will go towards HCBP’s mission in providing meals for students and their families.
“We provide groceries for a main meal, breakfast and snack for everyone in the household,” Pickering said. “The bags of groceries are delivered to the schools in Aurora, Hampton and Giltner on the last day of the school week.”
Pickering shared that the soup bowls were thrown by Pastor Rudy Flores, Mardell Jasnowski and herself, and glazed by women from the former Extension group Dainty Dozen, the Quilter Guild and 16 members of the Backpack Crew, along with their friends and family. Members of the Messiah Lutheran Church also helped with adding color to the bowls. 
“It was such a wonderful honor to help with this year’s Hamilton County Backpack Program Soup Fundraiser,” Flores said. “This ministry serves an important need in our community in providing food for families in our program. This program has many dedicated volunteers who make it possible to be a light in the lives of others.”
“The soup lunch was very successful in helping to provide resources for this important ministry while at the same time, bringing the community together, showcasing local artists with handcrafted soup bowls, a delicious menu of soups to be enjoyed while sharing stories in fellowship and meeting new neighbors,” Flores continued. “We look forward to continuing to help where we can and are ever so grateful for all who were able to attend. Blessings and God’s love to you all.”
Currently, HCBP provides 36 bags of groceries that include a meal, breakfast and a snack for 36 families, or 241 residents within Hamilton County.
On behalf of HCBP, Pickering expressed her thanks to the community members who stopped by Messiah Lutheran to support their mission.
“We continue to be amazed but not surprised with the generosity of the residents of Hamilton County, and the donations made through our churches, businesses, private donations and through grants,” Pickering said.