news release

Catholic Charities’ Samaritan Center hosted its 34th Annual Soup Bowl fundraiser today. The longtime community tradition offers handmade pottery and soup in exchange for donations. This year, Indian River Clay potters made and donated more than 1,000 one-of-a-kind bowls!

Today, soup and pottery were available for purchase at the Vero Beach Heritage Center and more than 20 participating locations throughout Indian River County.

The Soup Bowl supports a simple mission: every family deserves more than shelter. They deserve dignity, stability and hope for the future. The Samaritan Center provides 24/7 shelter and care for homeless families, keeping families together while offering case management, counseling, trauma support, life skills and educational programs that lead to independence.

Since its founding, the Center has helped more than 750 families, including more than 1,250 children, build brighter futures.

Soup Bowl History
The Soup Bowl began 34 years ago when the Samaritan Center’s Advisory Board recognized that a humble bowl of soup was often the only meal a homeless person had each day. The board adopted the soup bowl as a reminder that, even in an abundant world, many people still go without life’s basics. Working with the artists of Indian River Clay, the board created a community fundraiser that still raises critical funds for families today.

About Samaritan Center
Samaritan Center is a transitional residential facility for homeless families with dependent children in Indian River County. Open to families of all faiths, the Center equips parents with the skills they need to live independently. Samaritan Center is a core program of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Palm Beach and a funded partner of United Way of Indian River County and the Indian River County Children’s Services Advisory Council. The Soup Bowl raises awareness and vital funding for the families Samaritan Center serves.