SAY Detroit prides itself on the ability to cultivate and build partnerships with an array of supporters — from funders and sponsors to fellow nonprofits and community organizations.
One of its deepest is the decade-old friendship with Motown Soup, an all-volunteer nonprofit which sells soups, dips and other dry mixes to raise funds to help support the unhoused and hungry in Michigan, including Detroit youth who attend the SAY Detroit SAY Play Center. Motown Soup has distributed more than $1.86 million in funds over the past 18 years, including $225,000 to 46 charities last May.
One to two times a year, volunteers from SAY Detroit’s A Time to Help program spend several hours on a Saturday to help Motown Soup package those dry mixes in an effort to restock its inventory before and after the busy holiday season.
More than two dozen volunteers did just that on Saturday (Oct. 14), packaging a personal-record 1,946 items on the lower level of Trinity Lutheran Church. The total surpassed ATTH’s former mark of 1,544. The “team’’ that packaged the most items was the “spice packs’’ crew (690) followed by large chicken noodle soup (375).
“We’ve had a partnership with SAY Detroit for a long time; we couldn’t do what we do without volunteer groups,’’ said Dan Kennedy, a longtime Motown Soup volunteer. “You guys have been outstanding.’’
Among the returning volunteers was Monica Dulecki, who was on the line that packaged spice packs.
“Last year my husband and I both volunteered here,’’ she said. “I like everything about it — how it’s done and what it helps.’’
Motown Soup will be having an Open House, open to the public, on Nov. 18 (10 am – 5 pm) and Nov. 19 (9 am – noon) at Trinity Lutheran (45160 Van Dyke, Utica, MI) and will feature several new items, including dinner boxes, syrups, quick bread and Italian wedding soup. Supporters can also order online at motownsoup.com (contact order@motownsoup.com if needed.)
ATTH’s next project is scheduled for Nov. 4 at the Michigan Veterans Home Chesterfield Township. Registration is required and limited to 20. The project is posted here.
As for our next visit to Motown Soup, that will likely be in February 2024 for — what else? — another restock!
