Soup Event Will Raise Money to Heat Homes

The following is an edited press release from HEAT about its annual Soup for Heat fundraiser taking place this Saturday at the Larson Senior Center (25 South Main St.) from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

DeAnne Auclair, who died in 2010, had great compassion for the people of Attleboro and founded HEAT, or Helping with Energy Assistance Together. Through many hours of work, she organized a group of seven volunteers and in 2005 formed the organization with a mission to provide temporary relief for families in need with fuel during the winter. This is strictly a neighbor-to-neighbor program to benefit the residents of Attleboro who need a hand-up during their temporary financial crisis.   

We found through research with various agencies that several residents in Attleboro fell between the cracks for fuel assistance because they exceeded the financial guidelines by a few dollars, and were not able to qualify for government-sponsored fuel assistance programs offered by the city or state. Based on this information, we were able to develop our parameters and intake sheets to determine if the applicants qualify for our program.

In 2005, we received monetary donations from businesses and friends to purchase the soup bowls, food and supplies to hold our first fundraiser. Everyone that has committed to this project has made it the success that it is today. 

The ninth annual edition of the event will take place this Saturday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Larson Senior Center (Council on Aging), located at 25 South Main St. Tickets will be available at the door for $10 or four for $30. Seniors and children can eat for $7. We will also have soup-to-go and a roll for $5.

Those who attend will receive a hearty cup of soup (either chicken vegetable , Venus De Milo or Santa Fe stew) and receive a Warming Attleboro Homes with Soup keepsake commemorative mug. In addition, coffee, cookies and water will be served. A raffle is also planned. This year's event will again be dedicated to Auclair. If you can't attend, but want to buy a raffle ticket, come by City Hall this week Wednesday or Thursday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and ask for Linda Alger.

Among those who will be serving soup this year are Mayor Kevin Dumas, city councilors, other local officials, state representatives and senators as well as the fire and police chiefs.

Home Instead Senior Care has sponsored our commemorative mug and Columbia Gas of Massachusetts has donated $2,500. If you are interested in making a donation to HEAT, you can send the money to HEAT, P.O. Box 4104, Attleboro, MA 02703.