Detroit Soup Kitchen Feeds The Body And Soul

Like every other community in the United States,client services.
Detroit experienced devastating poverty during theOne of the most successful fundraising events for
Great Depression of 1929. It was during this timethe soup kitchen, the annual SOCK Dinner (Support
that the city's poor came knocking at the St.Our Capuchin Kitchen), has grown to become one of
Bonaventure Monastery on Mt. Elliot Street, home ofthe most successful fundraising events in Michigan. It
the Capuchin Order. Friar Solanus Casey urged thehas been listed in Crain's Detroit Business as one of
order to feed the hungry with soup and sandwiches.Detroit's top grossing fundraisers.
Eventually, the lines grew to more than 2,000 peopleSOCK first originated in 1942. Billed as the "Men's
waiting for their single meal of the day. The friarsOnly" Baseball dinner, more than 100 men showed up
knew they had to do more.for the event which was held at the old Soup
The friars turned to the men and women of theKitchen building on Mt. Elliot Street. Each attendee
Secular Franciscans and joined together with them topaid five dollars and listened to Connie Mack talk
collect food from farms, make soup, bake bread, andbaseball. Over the years such notables as Ted
serve meals in the hall next to the monastery. FromWilliams, Casey Stengel, Mickey Mantle, and Joe
these beginnings grew the Capuchin Soup Kitchen.Garagiola came to the event to talk baseball.
Today, the Capuchin Soup Kitchen serves the poorThe evening now includes a cocktail reception, silent
who suffer from the lack of basic human needs:auction, dinner and entertainment. Mr. Jim Harper,
material needs, such as food, clothing, and householdlong-time supporter and morning radio show host, has
necessities; psychological needs, such as motivation,served as the Master of Ceremony for numerous
self-esteem, and rehabilitation; and social needs, suchyears. Past entertainers include Johnny Trudell and his
as support systems and meaningful relationships.Orchestra, MOSAIC Youth Choir, and Karen Newman
The outreach provides a variety of services includingof Red Wing fame.
2,000 hot meals served at two locations, distributionEven though the format has changed, one thing has
of approximately 30,000 articles of clothing to clients,remained the same: to assist those less fortunate in
showers and a change of clothing for up to 30the community, Metro Detroiters are still dedicated to
homeless and poorly housed persons on a daily basis,attending and supporting this annual Soup Kitchen
a children's library and art therapy studio, and aevent. The outpouring of devotion has seen a
25,000-square-foot urban farm project, to name anumber of distinguished chairpersons in recent years,
few. In order to serve as a positive healing force inincluding the 2004 Chairs, Anthony and Darlene Soave
the spirits and lives of needy individuals, the Capuchinof Soave Enterprises; Richard and Cathy Wagoner of
Soup Kitchen strives to promote encouragement,General Motors Corporation; Bill and Lisa Ford of the
direction, and material assistance to foster growthFord Motor Corporation; Bill and Ann McCormick of
and wholesome independence.CMS Energy Corporation; The Hon. Mayor Dennis W.
Due to the friars unwavering commitment to theirArcher and Hon. Trudy DunCombe Archer , Mayor of
mission, and the dedicated efforts of volunteers andthe City of Detroit; Art and Mary Van Elslander of
donors, the Capuchin Soup Kitchen spends anArt Van Furniture; and Dr and Mrs. Dieter Zetsche of
unprecedented 87 percent of each dollar on directthe Daimler-Chrysler Corporation.