Someone Cares Soup Kitchen Raises Over $60,000 for the Hungry in Orange County

TUSTIN, CA, June 27, 2012 (Press-News.org) Someone Cares Soup Kitchen, a Costa Mesa based non-profit, announced today that their 26th annual gala and auction raised more than $60,000 to support the Someone Cares Hunger Relief and Tutoring Programs. The sold out "Volunteerism" themed gala honored the dedication and service of more than 7,500 volunteers who assist the soup kitchen daily in their efforts to eliminate hunger in Orange County. Recognized for its remarkable achievements, OneOC was honored with the Someone Cares Soup Kitchen Ladle Award and a proclamation from Orange County Supervisor, John Moorlach for their ongoing commitment to the soup kitchen and volunteerism. OneOC provides nonprofit organizations with volunteers, training, consulting, and business services.

In addition to honoring OneOC, Someone Cares Soup Kitchen bestowed Honorable Peter Buffa with the Golden Hammer Award for his entertaining wit and humor as the annual gala master of ceremonies for numerous years. Other dignitaries in attendance included Someone Cares Soup Kitchen's board member and event chairperson Dan Hamilton, OneOC's director of training and leadership Julie Holdaway, and OneOC's board member Peter Duncan.

"This year we wanted to honor and express our sincere gratitude to all 7,500 volunteers for their services feeding the impoverished," said Shannon Santos, executive director of the Someone Cares Soup Kitchen. "We are able to feed over 100,000 people in our local communities and this would not be possible without the support from our generous volunteers."

During the dinner reception, Lawena entertained the crowd before celebrating the coveted silent auction. Participating restaurants included Golden Truffle, Ritz Restaurant and Garden, Quiet Woman, Mr. Sox, Sabatino's, Plum's Cafe, and Newport Bay Bakers. Libations from Pezman Punch, PlumpJack/Cade Winery, Whitehall Lane Winery, Trader Joes, and Starbucks also donated their time and services to support the cause.

The soup kitchen serves more than 300 hungry citizens per day and is open seven days per week. Meals are served Monday through Friday from 1-4 p.m., and breakfast is served every Saturday and Sunday morning. In addition, they provide tutoring programs for children in kindergarten to the third grade to help with after-school literacy and academic achievement. For more information on how you can be involved, visit http://someonecareskitchen.org/

About Someone Cares Soup Kitchen

The mission of Someone Cares Soup Kitchen is simple: to feed a daily nutritional meal to the homeless, the unemployed, the working poor, the mentally challenged, the physically challenged, the senior citizens and most important of all—the children. Driven by the belief that no one should go to bed hungry, on the street or otherwise, the soup kitchen provides a nutritious and tasteful meal to the less fortunate in the Orange County community; a meal that people would be proud to serve their family at home; a well-balanced meal made fresh daily consisting of vegetable soup, lettuce and fruit salads, hearty and filling side dishes, breads and muffins, dessert, milk and water. Located in Costa Mesa, Calif., the Soup Kitchen provides this meal to guests in a friendly, non-threatening atmosphere. For more information, visit http://www.someonecareskitchen.org.