(Bowls for Bellies)

By Alessia Proietti

Fill a bowl; keep a bowl

Bowls for Bellies feeds locals this Sunday as fundraiser for Mustard Seed school lunch program

Sep 27, 2023 | 2:52 PM

There’s no better way to start the fall season than with a warm cup of coup.

On October 1, the annual Bowls for Bellies soup cook-off will return to serve warm food to guests while raising money for the Mustard Seed’s School Lunch Program.

Held on Sunday from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. at Red Deer Polytechnic’s Cenovus Energy Learning Common (100 College Blvd), guests will receive and keep a hand painted bowl by a child utilizing the Mustard Seed services. They will then get to fill the bowl with a sample of every soup to try and vote on their favorite.

Chefs from roughly a dozen local restaurants will be competing for the “Bowly Grail” trophy and the title of best soup in the city.

According to event organizers, The Mustard Seed’s school lunch program served 68,000 lunches last year across 46 schools to children who otherwise would not have had a meal, and this year, the need is up to 120,000.

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The Mustard Seed (6002 54 Ave.) also receives no government funding for meal programs, relying solely on donations.

Organizers say all proceeds will be donated to the program.

In 2022, $31,000 was raised at Bowls for Bellies for the program.

READ: Inspired by father’s experience with homelessness, Bowls for Bellies raises over $30,000 for Mustard Seed program

Tickets can be purchased online or at the door for $25. Children under 12 years of age are free.