Winter hasn’t quite felt like winter yet.
But even a warmer-than-normal January day deserves a hearty bowl of soup to warm the body and soul.
The Kiwanis Club of Greenwood and Greenwood United Methodist Church are presenting the Super Bowl of Soups, a soup cookoff and silent auction. The fundraiser, scheduled for 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31, will help raise money to support Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, as well as scholarships awarded each year by the Kiwanis Club.
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“It’s a friendly competition in which cooks from area churches will prepare their favorite homemade soups and vie for the honor of being the top soup chef,” said Mary Kay Anthony, president for Kiwanis Club of Greenwood. “Just imagine the Lutherans, Presbyterians, Baptists, Catholics, Methodists, and other denominations lovingly locking horns to benefit the children of our community. It promises to be a blessed evening.”
Kiwanis Club of Greenwood has been a longtime supporter of Riley Hospital for Children. Clubs from throughout the state donated money to build the hospital’s helipad, as well as its neonatal surgical unit. Kiwanis contributed $1 million to the hospital in an effort to better diagnose and deliver effective care for neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders, including autism and developmental delay.
The organization was instrumental in helping create the hospital more than 90 years ago.
“We’ve been with them from the beginning, so Kiwanis has a big place in its heart for Riley,” Anthony said.
For a long time, a major Kiwanis fundraiser was its chili dinner. Organizers invited other Kiwanis clubs, then area firefighters, to make their best batch of chili to be judged by attendees.
But this year, club officials decided to tweak the format. Instead of batches of spicy chili, a variety of soups would be prepared by local churches, Anthony said.
Seven churches are taking part in this year’s event: Condordia Lutheran Church, Greenwood Presbyterian Church, Community Church of Greenwood, Our Lady of the Greenwood Catholic Church, Hopewell Presbyterian Church, Mt. Auburn United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church of Greenwood.
People will get samples of the different soups being prepared, and vote for their favorites. Trophies will be given for first, second and third places.
In addition to soup, tickets include desserts and a beverage.
Plans for the cook-off also include accommodations for younger guests; a kids meal will consist of hot dog, chips, dessert and a beverage. In addition, organizers have lined up a Star Wars impersonator to dress up as Chewbacca, posing for pictures and interacting with kids and adults from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Proceeds will benefit efforts at Riley Hospital for Children. Last year, Kiwanis was able to contribute $2,000 to the hospital with funds raised at their chili dinner.
Money will also support the Bill and Sharlene Mellencamp Scholarship Fund, which helps provide three $1,000 scholarships each year to students involved in the Key Club organizations at Greenwood Community High School, Center Grove High School and Franklin Central High School.
“The scholarships go to one Key Club member at each school who has been really active in their community,” Anthony said.
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Super Bowl of Soups Cook-Off & Silent Auction
What: A soup cook-off fundraiser between local churches, organized by the Kiwanis Club of Greenwood to raise money for Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, as well as Kiwanis’ scholarship fund.
When: 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Greenwood United Methodist Church, 525 N. Madison Ave.
Admission: $8 adults, $4 kids 10 and under
What is included: Adult meal includes soup, crackers, dessert and beverage. The kids meal features a hot dog, chips, dessert and beverage.
Competing churches: Concordia Lutheran Church, Greenwood Presbyterian Church, Community Church of Greenwood, Our Lady of the Greenwood Catholic Church, Hopewell Presbyterian Church, Mt. Auburn United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church of Greenwood.
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