Set for its seventh year, the joyous clamor of families enjoying the best of Naperville restaurants and entertainment by local students at the Rotary Club of Naperville Soup’s On! will be showcased one more time.
The afternoon dedicated to heighten awareness and raise funds to help prevent hunger and homelessness will be held from 11:30AM to 3:30PM on Sun., Oct. 18, at Naperville Central High School. Billed as its “Farewell Food Tour,” organizers are mindful of the deeper meaning.
Sobering statistics describe the number of children receiving free and reduced lunch in Districts 203 and 204. In 2001, only 1.2 percent of District 203 students were eligible for this program; today, 16.3 percent can be described as low income. Similarly, in 2008, 4 percent of District 204 received this assistance; today, 18 percent, or nearly 1 in 5 students, are eligible.
With so many local families dealing with poverty, the funds raised by Soup’s On – more than $800,000 since its inception in 2008 – are especially valuable. The primary beneficiaries are DuPage PADS, Hesed House, and Loaves & Fishes Community Services, as well as grants awarded to other local nonprofits by The Rotary Club of Naperville Charities.
Ample food, beverages, and entertainment will contribute to the event’s festive atmosphere.
Organizers promise “a tantalizing assortment of tasty foods and desserts created by 25 of the area’s most admired restaurants and food purveyors will be on the menu.”
Children will be captivated by activities sponsored by the DuPage Children’s Museum, while guests of all ages will enjoy musical entertainment by award-winning high school choral groups.
A silent auction with a wide variety of exciting prizes will be held. Football fans can enjoy watching the game in the Bears Lounge, too.
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased online at www.SoupsOnRotary.com. Tickets are $40 for adults if purchased by Oct. 2 and $45 afterwards; seniors (65+) and military, $35; children 6-12, $10; children 5 and under are free.
