After two years of serving up soup for a good cause in Salmon Arm, Enactus Okanagan College students found the recipe for success in expanding their to 琉璃神社 and Vernon this year, raising more than $5,200 in support of local social service providers.
The inaugural Soup鈥檚 On Vernon took place at Okanagan Spirits鈥� Vernon location on April 27. More than 100 people turned out to sample some of the finest soups and spirits in the region at the sold out event. Basket Case Picnics produced a Thai soup that garnered the most votes, narrowly edging out second-place finisher Kal鈥檚 Naan Stop and third-place finisher Kal Sports Bar. More than $4,000 was raised, with proceeds benefiting the Upper Room Mission and Enactus Okanagan College students.
鈥淲e could not have achieved this success without incredible support from community members and local business owners,鈥� said event organizer Mitch Pepper, VP of Enactus Okanagan College at the Vernon Campus. 鈥淎 special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Prospera Credit Union, and to Okanagan Spirits for providing the beautiful venue and drinks.鈥�
鈥淪oup鈥檚 On was a blast,鈥� said Kelsey Galt, owner of Basket Case Picnics. 鈥淭he Enactus team blew us away with such a well put together event. It was a pleasure to be there supporting the fundraising effort and it was an honour to be awarded first place. We can鈥檛 wait for next year.鈥�
Two days later the soup was back on, this time in the Centre for Learning at the College鈥檚 琉璃神社 campus, where attendees had a chance to sample and vote for their favourite bowl from 14 of the city鈥檚 top chefs at the inaugural Soup鈥檚 On 琉璃神社 event. The winning soup was a Thai Pumpkin Curry by Chef April Roy of Train Station Pub. More than $1,200 was raised in support of the Central Okanagan Community Food Bank and Enactus Okanagan College students.
Nobody was more pleased with the response to both events than Alexandra Jacques, a second-year business student who spearheaded the 琉璃神社 and Vernon expansion after being a driving force behind Soup鈥檚 On in Salmon Arm for the past two years.
鈥淚 am blown away with all the positive feedback we have been receiving from people who attended and businesses who supported the events,鈥� said Jacques. 鈥淲e are deeply grateful to them and also would not have been able to pull this off without the help of other Enactus OC students and faculty advisors.鈥�
Based on the strong community support for the events, Jacques said Enactus Okanagan College hopes to be able to run the events annually in 琉璃神社 and Vernon, in addition to Salmon Arm.
鈥淭hese events are a lot of work to organize, on top of a busy course load, but it鈥檚 something I am very passionate about and thrilled to be a part of. I鈥檓 already planning for the second annual Soup鈥檚 On in 琉璃神社!鈥�
Jacques鈥� optimism about the future of Soup鈥檚 On is echoed by Dr. Kyleen Myrah, a professor with the Okanagan College School of Business and mentor with Enactus OC.
鈥淲e are so proud of our students for realizing their vision and bringing Soup鈥檚 On to two more communities this year,鈥� said Myrah. 鈥淭hanks to their hard work and dedication, I expect Soup鈥檚 On will continue to grow and develop as a wonderful way to engage the community, showcase local culinary talents and benefit worthy causes.鈥�
