For 20 years the lunchtime event "Souper Bowls of Hope" has raised funds to support the Youth Empowerment Society. YES programs have received $100-thousand over the years to help street-entrenched homeless youth, youth-at-risk, and families.
Michelle Davis is the event Chair. She says one of the ways YES helps kids is through a downtown drop-in centre, recently renamed "Helen's Place" after Helen Hughes the Victoria Councillor who established the event:
" The kids can come and go to the drop in centre and just get some basic stuff, like even just a meal, a shower, they can get some computer time, they can get some assistance in whatever issues that they're having . And from there the outreach workers help theses kids find the program that will be suitable for them to help them find better lifestyles. "
Souper Bowls of Hope is offering 4 different kinds of soups cooked up by local chefs, free-artisan-made soup bowls to take home, entertainment, and a silent auction:
" You come down anytime between 11:00 and 12:30, you don't have to stay the entire time, sometimes people only have an hour for lunch, and we have 4 chefs making soup. So this year we have the Union Club, Cheryl's Gourmet Pantry, 10 Acres restaurant, and the Empress. So 4 different soups you can choose from, and Portofino supplying us with really great breads. We'll also have some vegetarian and gluten free options as well. So that's the lunch portion. And we have the Vic High R & B band coming to entertain us, so lots of grooving and having fun. We raise money for Youth Empowerment Society through raffles, silent auction, live auction, there's pottery for sale. "
The event goes at the Victoria Conference Centre, 11:00 - 1:30 on Thursday at the Victoria Conference Centre.
Tickets to Souper Bowls of Hope 2018 are $50 per person and can be purchased online at souperbowls.com and at the door.