By Mo Hitchcock, Federal Way Community Caregiving Network

The Federal Way Community Caregiving Network (FWCCN) invites area residents to its annual “Souper Supper” — a soup “extravaganza” that has become a fundraising favorite.

For more than 20 years, the FWCCN has helped thousands of Federal Way residents pay their rent and find needed emergency shelter when they were evicted from their homes. Last year alone, the Caregiving Network helped nearly 1,600 people avert homelessness with rent and emergency shelter assistance. That number represents over 360 families. This year, community support is once again needed to help carry on this important work.

This will be the network’s tenth Souper Supper to raise funds to support its Emergency Services and Meals Program, which assists people with low (often poverty-level) incomes with food, rent, limited motel stays, gasoline and other basic needs for daily survival.

The FWCCN Emergency Services is a “walk-in” facility located at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Fridays. The network also operates a Community Meals Program to provide weekly dinners at area churches. Steel Lake Presbyterian hosts a Monday night dinner from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Calvary Lutheran opens its doors to the needy from 5 to 6 p.m. each Thursday. From 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays, meals are served at Good Shepherd Episcopal, in partnership with St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.

This year, the group hopes to raise $10,000 to supplement its Emergency Services and Meals Program budget. Although providing emergency services may be a temporary solution to an ongoing problem, FWCCN’s goal is to help people stay in their homes, stave off hunger and provide some of the necessities that most take for granted. More and more people are trying hard to make ends meet in these difficult economic times. Individual situations, such as the loss of a job or loved one, can drastically change someone’s life. As many face the crisis of homelessness, hunger and the struggle to survive, FWCCN does care, and reaches out to people and families in need.

The Souper Supper will feature more than a dozen soup varieties donated by local restaurateurs and grocers. Cornbread, rolls, beverages and desserts will also be served. To add to the fun, about 50 raffle prizes will be given out at the event.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at Steel Lake Presbyterian Church, 1829 S. 308th St. Individual tickets are $20. Cost to businesses sponsoring a corporate table for eight is $200. Tickets are available at the door or in advance by calling Jackie Blair at (253) 952-6988.

The FWCCN is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is fully volunteer-operated, and has been serving the area since 1988. For those unable to attend, your contribution would be greatly appreciated. Donations may be mailed to: Federal Way Community Caregiving Network, P.O. Box 4717, Federal Way, WA 98063.