In the spring of 2010, I was enrolled in an Event Management class with Lois Altman titled, Event Management 576. This class was comprised of undergraduate and graduate students learning how to manage and execute events. Lois Altman had an idea that the graduate students could get real life, hands on experience by putting on an event for “The Harvest Soup Kitchen Annual Dinner”. As a graduate student, I loved the idea of being able to put on an event, especially after what Lois mentioned the end result was: To put on an event to help those in need and support the local soup kitchen. We were able to work through the logistics, and the students, along with volunteers, and others put on a great event. It was an amazing feeling to be a part of the process as a graduate student.
The team of eager graduate students, under Lois’ leadership eagerly came to early and late meetings after class to ensure the event was a success. Now, 10 years – and a name change – later, the Soup Kitchen of Muncie’s Annual Dinner mission remains the same. This year, the Soup Kitchen will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Annual Dinner. The Annual Dinner is THE major fundraiser to keep the Soup Kitchen of Muncie operating and continuing to feed every hungry person who walks through our doors, without regard to race, gender, or religious preference.
Being in the class that helped with the original dinner, donating artwork, and time to now being on the Board, and helping with the event for the last two years, has been a truly rewarding experience. I have appreciated the bonds, experience, relationships, and friendships that have developed because of the Soup Kitchen of Muncie and the Soup Kitchen of Muncie’s Annual Dinner.
You, too, can be an integral part of this much needed service whether it be through volunteerism at the Soup Kitchen of Muncie or the event, attending the event itself, or by becoming a sponsor. Mark your calendars as the date for the dinner will be April 4, 2020. More information will be coming out soon, so be sure to check back here regularly to comment on the blog or interact with us on Facebook!
By Ben Peak, Vice President of the Soup Kitchen of Muncie Board of Directors