More than two dozen chefs are set to attend the second annual Soup for the Soul, a soup-tasting event and fundraiser for the Center for Food Equity in Medicine (CFFEIM), at the Flossmoor Community House on Monday, Feb. 17, from 5 until 8 p.m.
Community members attending Soup for the Soul will sample a variety of soups made by as many chefs as they want. They’ll also be able to purchase their favorite soups to take home.
All money raised from ticket and soup sales will be donated to the CFFEIM. Any soup left uneaten at the end of the evening will be frozen and donated to CFFEIM clients.
The number of participating chefs has grown since last year, according to a list provided by Maureen Mader of Dunning’s Gourmet Market & Deli, who serves as Flossmoor Business Association president and Soup for the Soul organizer. Like last year, many of the soup chefs are based in the South Suburbs, but Mader said more chefs will travel from a wider variety of locations.
CFFEIM is a nonprofit organization that delivers food to families dealing with cancer and other life-altering health conditions. Clients are often referred by the hospital where they or their friends or loved ones are receiving treatment, according to CFFEIM founder and executive director Ann Jackson.
“We want you to be able to fight for your life and not for your food,” Jackson said, describing the mission of CFFEIM when speaking to the Chronicle last year.
In addition to delivering food, the CFFEIM provides gift cards for food purchases and organizes community pop-ups where participants receive fruits, vegetables, and spices. They also helped with the inventory at the food assistance sites at UChicago Ingalls Hospital in Flossmoor, Tinley Park, and Harvey.
“If you’re sick, you need food and you can’t get it, you can contact them. If they can help you, they will,” Mader said, referring to CFFEIM’s mission. “Anne Jackson is a really lovely woman who’s committed to providing nutrition for these families that need it.”
Chefs who plan to participate in the CFFEIM fundraiser include Chef Won Kim of Kimski Restaurant in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood and chefs from El Maná Restaurante in Melrose Park, Bistro on Sterling in Flossmoor and Homewood Brewery Company in Homewood.
“We have a really good representation of the southern suburbs. We’re very happy about that,” Mader said. “We still have other chefs wanting to participate and of course, the more the merrier.
“I feel very proud to be part of it and knowing that I’m helping people get better. […] Soup has all these healing properties. When people are sick, you always want to make them chicken soup.”
The Flossmoor Community House is at 847 Hutchinson Road in Flossmoor. Tickets for Soup for the Soul can be purchased onsite or pre-ordered on CFFEIM’s website.
