Annual Beacon Soup Line set for Feb. 28

Next week, the soup will be on in Fort Scott, and it's all for a good cause.

The 21st Annual Beacon soup line, a local fundraiser sponsored by area churches and the Fort Scott PRIDE organization, is scheduled to take place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, at the Scottish Rite Temple, 110 S. Main St.

"The wonderful support of the annual soup line fundraiser is appreciated, and the 140 volunteers look forward to support from our community again this year," a statement from event organizer Joy O'Neal said.

Each year, many area residents volunteer their time and energy to making the event a success. Volunteers lend their assistance by helping with a variety of different tasks, including the preparation and serving of food, and the cleaning of the facility after the event. Some volunteers will spend the entire day preparing the soups that will be served to the thousands of people who attend the soup line throughout the day.

Proceeds from the soup line benefit The Beacon, a non-profit agency that helps the needy and low-income families in Fort Scott and Bourbon County. The agency provides many valuable services to eligible area residents.

During the last few months of 2007, The Beacon distributed a monthly average of 295 grocery packages to needy families; 865 people visited the agency to find clothing or non-food items; and 32 families received financial assistance for paying rent, utilities, medical, and other expenses. An average of 20 new families were served each month, the statement from O'Neal said.

The Beacon is primarily a food pantry, and donations of food, cash or volunteer time are the backbone of the agency. The agency accepts any non-food items that would help a struggling family, such as paper goods, wipes, diapers, shampoo, toothpaste, dish soap, and other necessities, the statement said.

Tickets for the event, which cost $4 each, will buy each patron a meal of either homemade chicken noodle soup or vegetable beef soup, a dessert, and a beverage. Several area churches, which also have tickets available, typically provide the noodles for the soup and desserts that patrons will be able to enjoy.

Tickets can also be purchased at the door the day of the event. For more information, call O'Neal at (620) 223-2000.