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‘Souper Supper’ raises funds for Austintown families
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Neighbors | Pam Jadue.Austintown Fitch art teacher Karen Weinberg (left) and paraprofessional Natalie Winkle pose with the more than 200 ceramic bowls that were made in preparation for the second annual Souper Supper held in the Fitch cafeteria to benefit area families.
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Neighbors | Pam Jadue.Austintown Fitch sophomore Arielle Green (left) and senior Tyler Hoffman perform a duet as they provide entertainment for visitors dining at the “Souper Supper” event. Both are vocal students of Kay Williams at Fitch.
By PAM JADUE
Helping people in need was the goal of Austintown Fitch art teacher Karen Weinberg as she organized Fitch High School’s second annual “Souper Supper” held in the school cafeteria.
The fundraiser took place Mar. 24 with support from the school’s students, staff and members of the Austintown community. All proceeds from this community event were used to purchase food certificates for Austintown families who have been negatively impacted by the struggling economy.
With the generosity of its supporters and the success of last year’s event, the organizing committee was able to help 22 Austintown families. This year’s goal was to increase that number.
In preparation for the event, 221 original hand-designed ceramic bowls were made by Weinberg with the help of paraprofessional Natalie Winkle.
These bowls were glazed by students and teachers who volunteered their time to help with the cause and were available in a wide array of colors.
Each piece of art was also usable as they were food and dishwasher safe.
Tickets to purchase the bowls as part of a soup dinner were presold for $7. Ticket holders who attended the event were able to choose a bowl to keep and were treated to dinner with soup, bread and desserts.
During the evening, dinner music and entertainment was provided by the Fitch vocal music students of Concert Choir director Kay Williams.
This was the pet project of Weinberg who was inspired last year as she learned of families in the community who were having a tough time.
According to Weinberg, this year’s event exceeded last year in funds raised.
“We took in $2,800,” she said. “We set aside some money in case our anonymous donor no longer helps us in the future. We bought 33 gift cards for 33 families. Each gift card is worth $75 for food and staples at Santisi’s IGA on Mahoning Ave. We wanted to support an Austintown business.”
In support of Weinberg’s efforts, the Austintown Fitch PTA joined in the cause by organizing a Chinese auction. Tickets for the 17 basket prizes were sold during the event.
“This is our second year helping and we believe that it is a worthwhile cause. We have seventeen baskets this year. Most of the items we collected for the raffle were donated by PTA members,” said Dianne Eyster of the Fitch PTA.
Austintown Fitch students and Art Club members were on hand to help at the event with everything from taking tickets at the door to serving drinks.