UTICA, MI., NOV. 11, 2020 —The numbers were fewer, 15 volunteers instead of the usual 30-plus, due to necessary restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic.
No problem. Small and mighty then, that’s what they were.
Motown Soup is a charity near and dear to A Time to Help: both programs are rooted in volunteerism. Over the past 15 years, Motown Soup has donated nearly $1.3 million to local charities that work with the homeless and hungry, including supporting SAY Detroit’s food program for the last few years at the SAY Play youth development center in northeast Detroit.
So when confronted with an opportunity to help a nonprofit which helps so many, ATTH jumped at the chance. From 2-4:40 pm Tuesday (Nov. 10), ATTH volunteers worked solo and in small teams, packaging soups to help restock Motown Soup’s storage room shelves.
The “soup teams’’ results: tortilla (258 packages); white chicken chili (252); tomato basil (209).
Dan Kennedy, who helps oversee operations at Motown Soup, knows firsthand how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted nonprofits in the state, including his charity. Located in the lower level of Trinity Lutheran Church in Utica, the Motown Soup is able to offer volunteer opportunities just once a week now, on Tuesdays.
“You guys today have been an absolute blessing,” he said. “We’re coming into the homestretch now, before the holidays, and inventories are low. Your volunteers, their attitude is right, their willingness to do anything and everything we ask. Just great.”
Please help Motown Soup help others. With many craft shows cancelled or closed since last spring, the nonprofit is grateful that several apple orchards have recently begun selling their products. Another way to help: For two weeks starting Nov. 14, Motown Soup will host a virtual Open House to sell its products to help the community (go to motownsoup.com for more information.)
And if you’re able, please join SAY Detroit and A Time to Help in making the holidays bright for our friends at the Salvation Army Harbor Light as we’re unable to host our annual party because of the coronavirus pandemic. That will be ATTH’s volunteerism project for December. Get the details here.
Please stay safe, healthy, and take care of each other.
