Warren SOUP event is Aug. 16

Staff report

WARREN

Warren SOUP will have its next micro-finance dinner from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 16 at an outdoor venue at the Laird Community Garden, on the corner of Laird Avenue and Grandview Street Southeast.

The SOUP provides micro-funding for creative local projects that will have a positive impact on the city. Free parking will be available on the street as well as at the Warren Water Department across from the community garden.

This summer, Warren SOUP is an outdoor event in a picnic style; participants are asked to take a blanket or chair.

Warren SOUP is organized by a committee of local residents with a passion for social change and community development. The SOUP is a public dinner of soup, salad and bread at the cost of $5. Tickets are sold at the door, no advance sales or reservations necessary.

SOUPs take place at least once each quarter. Guests will hear presentations from no more than four local groups seeking funding for their projects; participants will be able to ask a few questions of the presenters and then vote on their favorite project.

The winner will be announced at the end of the evening and will receive the money raised from the Warren SOUP event that night. Warren SOUP winners will attend future SOUPs to share their project’s progress.

The organization’s last SOUP event in May raised $735 and was matched by a grant from PNC Bank. The winner was Betty’s Angels “Food for Kids” project.

The summer Warren SOUP event Aug. 16 will showcase the city’s community gardens.

Warren SOUP organizers are accepting project-proposal applications through Monday. To apply to present a project at a future Warren SOUP event or for information, contact Sheila Calko at 330-881-7698 or email WarrenSOUP@tnpwarren.org.

For updates and information on upcoming Warren SOUP events, visit the organization’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/warrensoup.