Another successful Carl Kizer Summerfest

5 months ago

Muncie’s social services providers came together for another great Carl Kizer Summerfest on Friday, July 19.

The Soup Kitchen of Muncie’s annual Carl Kizer Summerfest is an outdoor block party to support underserved people in our community. Soup Kitchen volunteers cooked and served lunch for the more than 200 attendees, while they enjoyed music by Howell’s DJ Service, face painting, and each other’s company.

Additionally, fifteen service providers were on hand to talk to guests about how they can help address their needs, from healthcare to education to nutrition and more. Connecting people who need help with people who can help is what the Carl Kizer Summerfest is all about.

The Ross Community Center was among those on hand. The center provides all sorts of programming and services for children and adults. At the Ross Center, you can learn English as a second language, learn judo, get help from family coaches, and more.

“With events like Summerfest, we can continue to cultivate amazing partnerships,” said Jacquie Hanoman, Ross’s Executive Director. “We are stronger together.”

The Ross Community Center’s Executive Director Jacquie Hanoman gives a hug at Summerfest.

How Carl Kizer brings everyone together

The event is named after Muncie businessman Carl Kizer Jr., a former Soup Kitchen board member, and community leader.

“There is just joy in my heart today,” Carl said in between greeting guests and thanking partner organizations.

Carl is the event’s primary fundraiser. Because of his successful carpet cleaning business, his deep ties to Muncie, and his passion for people, Carl has cultivated a network of influential friends, clients, and colleagues. And he isn’t afraid to use those connections to do good for the community.

“You have to bring the ‘haves’ together with the ‘have nots,’” Carl said. “That’s the bottom line. To whom much is given, much is required. I give back because the community has given so much to me.”

In 2022, Carl earned the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce’s Legacy Award for extraordinary, sustained, and positive contributions to the Muncie-Delaware County community at large, and for providing leadership in the development of programs, events, and traditions that promote good will and community pride.

Carl credits his faith and his parents with his giving attitude. His mother, Vernice, was the first Black Registered Nurse at Ball Memorial Hospital, and she used her influence to make sure members of Muncie’s minority community got the healthcare they needed. His father, Carl Sr., was a mailman who worked two other jobs on the side to help raise the family, all while serving as a Scout Master, church trustee, and contributing to many organizations as a volunteer and board member.

“My parents left a huge footprint for me to follow in,” he said.