Soup Bowl Fundraiser
Soup Bowl Fundraiser
CCA kicks off spring fundraising efforts with “Pot-O-Gold” Soup Dinner
Over the past year, Cattaraugus Community Action of Salamanca celebrated many important milestones, and 2021 is no exception! In August, the non-profit organization, which is devoted to serving communities throughout the region, celebrated its 55th birthday and unveiled its new logo, “Building Resilient Communities,” and new name, Connecting Communities in Action.
This month, CCA will be kicking off their first in-person fundraiser since the start of the pandemic, and Executive Director Tina Zerbian is looking forward to welcoming the community to the agency at 25 Jefferson Street in Salamanca on St. Patrick’s Day for their Pot O’Gold Soup Dinner.
“We serve Cattaraugus County but work in several other counties, too, including Allegany, Chautauqua, Livingston and Wyoming counties,” Zerbian explained. “We’re an antipoverty organization, and fostering economic, physical, and emotional security is our mission. Our programs include youth and family prevention programs, energy and housing, homeless intervention services, and a lot of work in the mental/behavioral health field, as well as victim services for domestic and sexual assault.”
Nutrition is one of the core services CCA has been providing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Zerbian pointed out, “We had a soup kitchen for 25 years, but we couldn’t do congregate dining due to the pandemic. We found ways to get food out to the community, despite that!”
Over the past year, CCA has been delivering prepared foods that only require a microwave, as well as boxes filled with food and ingredients for at-home preparation. Zerbian noted that prior to the pandemic, CCA served individuals who did not have the resources to prepare their own food, and their Lighthouse Community Kitchen was a vital part of their nutrition services. Reopening the soup kitchen is one of CCA’s most important goals this year, and the Pot O’ Gold Soup Dinner will help support that program.
On St. Patrick’s Day, Wednesday, March 17th, CCA is hosting their annual soup fundraiser at their Jefferson Street building. Under tents outside, soup will be served to-go style from noon-2:00pm and from 4:00-6:00pm. All proceeds will benefit CCA’s kitchen by helping the agency make much-needed repairs to the freezers, refrigerators, dishwashers and more.
While the soup dinner is not a new fundraiser, this year’s format is different to accommodate COVID-19 limits on gathering and congregate dining. Zerbian explained, “Prior to this year, we had a culinary arts training program and students would make our soup. That’s not the case during COVID-19, so we called out to several area restaurants who are donating soup, and our own chef inside the agency is making soup.”
Indeed, there will be 10 different delicious soups from which to choose, including vegan and vegetarian options. Salamanca restaurant Harvest Moon will be serving a spicy sausage soup, the Seneca Allegany Resort & Casino will be donating a St. Patrick’s Day soup of corned beef and cabbage, Marino’s Pizzeria of Salamanca is donating a stuffed pepper soup, Good Times of Olean is donating Louisiana gumbo, Holiday Valley is donating Irish lamb stew, Dina’s of Ellicottville is donating a butternut squash bisque, Villaggio of Ellicottville is donating pasta e fagioli, Cupcaked (Salamanca and Ellicottville) is donating chicken Ajiaco, Katy’s Cafe is donating blue mushroom soup, and CCA’s own Chef John Haley is making Guinness and steak stew.
Soup bowls crafted by Hog-Shed Studio Pottery of Little Valley and Horn Hill Pottery of Ellicottville will be available while supplies last. Bowls can be purchased for $10 each or are free with a $25 soup purchase. Soup prices are $5 for one 12-ounce bowl, $12 for three 12-ounce bowls, $10 for one 28-ounce bowl, and $25 for three 28-ounce bowls. Those interested in ordering their soup in advance can contact Bridget Sanford at bsanford@ccaction.org or 716-945-1041 ext. 156.
Zerbian said, “We’re kicking it up a notch with lots of different baskets to raffle off!” Several local business and corporate sponsors have contributed items for the following baskets: the BroBasket (Jose’ Cuervo & mixers), Wood Burned Art (two local artists), flower arrangement (Wallflowers Studio), Tito’s vodka gift basket, gift card basket of Olean restaurants ($215 total), wine basket, EVL Ink gift certificate and ointments, Young Living Essential Oils kit, Aveda basket from Enix Hair Salon, West Rose four gift cards ($200 total), and a Groove gift basket. Raffle tickets are $1 each or 10 for $5.
Zerbian is pleased to announce another new feature for this year’s fundraiser: “Judging is new this year! We will award trophies - pots of gold - to the grand prize winner and two other runners-up, and a Kids Choice Award.” Judges include an 11-year-old child, as well as Salamanca Mayor Michael Smith, Anthony Turano, commissioner of social services, a CCA board member, and other community members.
The Pot O’ Gold Soup Dinner is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal and support one of the most vital organizations in the community. “We’ve been a staple in the community, especially during the pandemic,” said Zerbian. “We've really risen to the occasion and found very creative ways to get food to people who can’t travel, are ill, in quarantine, are disabled, or are seniors. We found ways to deliver food, while also keeping people safe, and we’re looking forward to continuing to serve the community after the pandemic, too.”
To learn more about CCA, visit www.ccaction.org and check out the Facebook event at https://fb.me/e/2elUkRolo