Soup's up – and it's free.
But for those who want to spend a little money on a good cause, Surrey Urban Mission Society's upcoming Soup du Jour Celebration offers that option as well.
Taking place 5-9 p.m. Friday (Sept. 23) at Viceroy Banquet Hall (8580 132 St.), Soup du Jour is a free community meal organized to mark SUMS' 10th year of offering meals, programs, services, individual assistance and friendship to anyone who needs it.
The evening will include soups donated by Surrey restaurants, along with mocktails, local entertainment and auctions – the latter of which will offer an opportunity to take home a hand-painted ceramic soup bowl.
South Surrey's Patricia Jessen, a SUMS volunteer for the past six months, said she has collected more than 30 of the colourful dinner basins for the cause. Describing the dishes as "pretty close to donated" by Langley's Club Colour studio, Jessen said all manner of people – including Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts – have adorned them with a personal touch, from messages of faith to dot work. One has a butterfly, another a sunflower. Still another bears the message, "Please sir, I want some mo'" and depicts hands holding the bowl's edges.
"It's a fun thing," said Jessen, who communicates the society's needs to the congregation at Mount Olive Lutheran Church.
Guests to Friday's event will also receive a "nutritious party favour" – a 500 mL jar of soup mix, filled with beans and lentils.
To attend Soup du Jour, call 604-786-4711.