Showing support for youth in Victoria is as simple as buying a hot bowl of soup in a unique ceramic bowl.
The decades-old Souper Bowls of Hope, a popular lunchtime fundraiser in support of Victoria Youth Empowerment Society (YES) returns this fall spiced up with a new avenue to support youth at-risk in Greater Victoria.
YES is an organization that provides free services for youth predominantly 13 to 19 with a variety of needs – from anxiety in school, to youth who are unhoused, experiencing substance use and in crisis, explained executive director Julie-Ann Hunter.
“We serve youth no matter what kind of need is out there,” Hunter said.
The organization helps more than 1,000 youth and families each year.
“Kids getting their basic needs met, we are hearing more and more concerns about,” Hunter said. “How do we start with a foundation – that you have food, you have clothing, that you feel good about going to school or looking for work? And how do we help youth build up from there.”
The Souper Bowls of Hope has raised more than $1.3 million since starting in 1998 and features scores of one-of-a-kind bowls filled by some of the city’s top chefs. Attendees also get to learn firsthand how their support changes lives and will be invited to connect with YES throughout the year so they can follow their stories of hope.
“It shows and demonstrates to the kids who come to our services that the community cares for them," Hunter said.
This year, the organization aims to help quell a growing hunger and food insecurity among young people. When the building opens to drop in at 9 a.m. it’s not unusual for there to be a lineup of youth with grumbling bellies.
“What we’re seeing more and more is youth needing their basic needs taken care of. Families are stretched,” Hunter said, adding the goal is to offer food to take home “so it doesn’t have to become a crisis.”
In November, YES plans to open a food pantry on-site to address hunger outside drop-in hours. Organizers expect 200 to 350 youth will access the pantry in the first year alone.
Groceries will be augmented with cooking classes. “You might be able to get them some groceries but if they’re unsure what to do with it they’re still going to go hungry,” Hunter said.
Souper Bowls of Hope 2024 is at the Union Club on Oct. 24 with two sittings at 11 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. This year top eateries 10 Acres Bistro, The Union Club and Aura Waterfront Restaurant provide the hearty soups while the artists of the South Island Potters Guild and Cedar Hill Recreation Centre Ceramics Studio have hand-crafted the keepsake bowls. The event includes a silent auction that includes items from the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, Uplands Golf Course and the Fairmont Empress among the prizes.
This year the event also introduces Souper Bowls of Hope merch – tote bags designed by YES staff. Learn more atvyes.ca/souper-bowls and visit SouperBowlsofHope2024.eventbrite.ca for tickets.
