Beacon Soup Line organizers passing the torch to YPL

Those attending this year's Beacon Soup Line may notice some new faces at the long-standing community event.

Current coordinators of the annual fundraiser benefiting the local food pantry and community assistance agency are in the process this year of shifting organizational duties for the event to the Young Professionals League, a network of area business professionals who are active in the community.

This year's function is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 31, at the Scottish Rite Temple, 110 S. Main St. The event helps provide operating cash for The Beacon, an agency that provides food and financial assistance to needy and low-income families in Bourbon County.

The last few years, the Soup Line has brought in about $3,000 to $4,000 for The Beacon.

YPL member Jamie Armstrong said the soup line is one event the group wants to grow and improve through its efforts.

"A few years ago, the YPL decided they want to play an integral part in the community and saw the need to give back," she said. "The soup line needed some help. It has been organized and run by the same people for several years."

Armstrong said there was not one aspect of the event that was "wrong" or "not working," adding it simply "needed a change." She said the group wants to raise more awareness about the event, get more people involved and raise more money for The Beacon in these trying economic times.

"We recognized the need for more funding for The Beacon," she said. "We're giving it every effort we can. We want to try to reach more people."

Armstrong added that this is a "transition year" and YPL members will be working alongside the event's longtime organizers and volunteers. The group plans to completely take charge of the Soup Line next year, she said.

Joy O'Neal, an organizer of the event for several years, said she welcomes assistance from the YPL. She plans to stay involved with the event this year and said will serve in a "helper role."

A network of more than 40 area churches that help sponsor the event donate certain items such as flour for the noodles and homemade desserts such as pies and cakes.

In promoting this year's event, Armstrong said the YPL has made progress toward one of the group's goals as it has been able to reach new people who are not familiar with The Beacon and its purpose in the community. The group has thus far received "good feedback" for its work.

The Beacon Director Bob Eckles said the soup line is the agency's biggest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds are used as the basis for figuring the agency's budget each year.

"Our first priority and expense is food," he said. "The money goes to restock food supplies and reduce the food expenses for The Beacon."

Other local fundraisers throughout the year also benefit The Beacon, and the agency also receives contributions from schools, civic clubs and organizations and churches. About 15 percent of food items at The Beacon are donated and the rest is purchased from local grocers, or the Kansas Food Bank in Wichita. An average of 20 families a day visit the agency for food, Eckles said.

The YPL will coordinate all volunteer efforts for this year's soup line through the church network and manage kitchen activities. YPL members will volunteer by cooking and serving meals. Other tasks will be completed by various local volunteer groups, Armstrong said.

Each year, about 100 volunteers contribute several hours preparing and cooking food, selling and distributing tickets and cleaning the facility after the event. Other volunteers decorate and prepare the facility's dining hall for the event.

Tickets are $5 each and are available at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall St., the Country Cupboard, 12 N. Main St., and through area churches. Each ticket buys a bowl of soup, a dessert and beverage of choice.

The goal of the YPL, formed in 2007, is to create opportunities for young business people to network, build relationships, and make important connections in their community. It is designed for members of the business community who are 45 years of age or younger.