October 27th, 2011
Oswego, NY ? The United Way of Greater Oswego County will be hosting the 6th Annual Stone Soup Luncheon on Thursday, November 10th at St. Joseph?s Parish Center on West 1st Street in Oswego. The United Way invites community members to come together to enjoy a luncheon that will aid local food pantries. Food pantries throughout Oswego County are feeling a strain this year and this holiday season will be prove to be especially challenging as they struggle to meet the increased demand for food subsidy in Oswego County.
To assist the food pantries this holiday season the United Way?s Stone Soup Luncheon will serve as the kickoff for United Way?s Fill-A-Bag program. Resource Development Director for the United Way of Greater Oswego County, Lois Luber, explains. ?We are asking attendees to keep the shelves of our local food pantries well stocked by bringing with them a bag full of non-perishable food items that will be distributed to the pantries.
Luber said that the United Way?s Stone Soup Luncheon would also feature an opportunity to win some great door prizes. ?Businesses and organizations will be eligible for a drawing to win lunch for the office. Each bag donated receives a chance to win one of three $100 restaurant gift cards courtesy of Tesoriero Chiropractic, Advantage Carpet / Taylor Rental, and Cam?s Pizzeria. Additionally, individuals who donate a bag full of food items will be eligible for $10 and $25 restaurant gift cards,? explained Lois Luber, Resource Development Director for United Way of Oswego County.
?Our Stone Soup Luncheon is an excellent example of the ?Live United? concept as a number of caring local businesses have come forward to donate the food and beverages necessary. This year we will be expanding our soup choices as others restaurants will join our returning soup providers, Canale?s Restaurant, Vona?s Restaurant, and the American Foundry. The luncheon will also include salad, fresh baked rolls; a variety of desserts; and fresh brewed hot coffee,? added Luber.
The United Way?s Stone Soup Luncheon is open to the public and will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Thursday, November 10th at St. Joseph?s Parish Center, West First Street in Oswego. Those unable to attend the luncheon but would like to donate food items may contact Helen Hoefer, director of Catholic Charities of Oswego County?s Emergency Services program at 598-3980 for information on where to drop off non-perishable food donations throughout Oswego County. The United Way will be accepting a donation of $5.00 per person to enjoy a delicious luncheon of Stone Soup. All proceeds from the event, as well as the food that is collected, will be donated to local food pantries.
For more information, or to make reservations to attend the United Way of Greater Oswego County?s contact your United Way office at 315-593-1900 x 202.
Cut line for photo: Soup?s On! Stone Soup Planning Committee Member, Marion Ciciarelli of Oswego Health receives a cup of soup from a member of the SUNY Oswego Women?s Ice Hockey Team at last year?s United Way Stone Soup Luncheon. Scheduled for Thursday, November 10th the luncheon will at held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in St. Joseph?s Parish Center, West First Street in Oswego. All proceeds from the event, as well as the food that is collected, will be donated to local food pantries. Also serving as members of the planning committee are: Shawn Seale of Key Bank; Helen Hoefer of Catholic Charities of Oswego County, Deb Deeb of Human Concerns, community volunteer Pat Benjamin, and Aaron Thorpe of 24-Hour Record-Retriever-Abstract.