Glen Bryant, soup chef and Masonic Theatre Preservation Foundation Board member directs traffic with his walkie talkie as cars enter the "take out" Amphitheatre Alley during 2021's Soup-er Sunday event.

Eighth Annual John Hillert Soup-er Sunday at Masonic Amphitheatre to Benefit Food Pantry Online Ordering Already Has Begun!   Clifton Forge, VA (Oct. 2, 2022) - John Hillert Soup-er Sunday is scheduled for Sunday, November 6 as a Take-Out Event again this year. Over thirty area chefs or groups will be cooking hearty soups, stews and chilis for the public to enjoy during the eighth annual John Hillert Soup-er Sunday at the Masonic Amphitheatre alley on Sunday, November 6 from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Clifton Forge Area Food Pantry. Members of the Soup-er Sunday Planning Committee have once again planned to make the Food Pantry fundraiser a take-out event much like take-out at a fast food restaurant. The response from area chefs has been overwhelming. The goal was to increase the number of soups this year. The past two years resulted in sold-out soups prior to the deadline. This year, thirty-three soups are offered, an increase from twenty-two soups last year—almost 400 quarts at $11.00 a quart. Just as last year the added feature is ordering online. To order soup and to see the complete menu of soups, all one has to do is go online at www.historicmasonictheatre.com select the Soup-er Sunday event, follow the prompts and order soups. The soup, packaged in quart containers and priced at $11 each, will be available for pick-up at the Masonic Amphitheatre alley at 513 Church Street on Sunday, November 6 from 12:30 pm to 2:30 p.m. Masonic Theatre Board members and volunteers will deliver the soup to each vehicle; customers can stay in the comfort of their vehicles. Soup will also be available to purchase the day of the event, November 6, by entering the alley and choosing from the menu, just as one does at a fast-food restaurant. The soup will be delivered to the vehicle and payment will be made at that time. As in the past, area chefs donate their time, talent and ingredients to make the day a success. The menu of soups includes chicken and dumplings, chili, and stews, in addition to vegan and vegetarian varieties of soup. Jack Mason’s Tavern, Michael’s New York Style Pizza, Big Fat Jerry’s, Mountain Field Market, Family TreeTs Restaurant and Catering, 42 Deli, Alleghany Highlands Arts & Crafts Center Board, Historic Masonic Theatre Board and Alleghany Journal are a few of the businesses that will be making soup in addition to individual chefs from Clifton Forge, Covington and Alleghany County. All Soup-er Sunday participants are donating their time so that as much money as possible may be raised for the Food Pantry during this particularly busy time of year. The Food Pantry serves Clifton Forge, Iron Gate, Millboro, Hot Springs, areas of Covington, Eagle Rock and anyone with an emergency and provides food for over 350 families per month. Debbie West, president of the Food Pantry states, “Our food is very low at this time…. the worse we have seen it-- especially canned goods. Buying case lots is expensive. With the economy as it is, our client base is growing weekly and as cold weather is upon us with large utility bills that must be paid, our clients struggle to feed their families. This food pantry is vital to the community and operates on donations of food and money to sustain its operation. The John Hillert Soup-er Sunday is a great event to attend and has been a huge success for helping the food pantry accomplish its goals to meet the need in the community". Proceeds from the Soup-er Sunday event purchase food to last for several months. Proceeds from the event increase every year. In addition to purchasing soups, donations may also be made electronically to the Clifton Forge Area Food Pantry. Souper-Sunday Committee member, Janet Spearman adds, “This year marks the eighth Annual John Hillert Soup-er Sunday. From the very beginning, this event has been extremely popular. We have devised a wonderful plan for take-out soup pick-up. Fortunately, all our soup chefs and some new chefs are ready to make their delicious mouth-watering soups. This is a delicious way to fill your freezer and simultaneously help our Food Pantry! Thank you to our committee members, Lauren Egan Lois Coche-Smith, Janie Barnette, Jim Sortore, Betsy Carter, Libby Burger, Justin Reiter, Gayle Hillert and volunteers and Board members of The Historic Masonic Theatre”. Soup-er Sunday is named in memory of John Hillert who was instrumental in implementing the concept of the Soup-er Sunday fund raiser for the Food Pantry and worked hard with volunteers to present the first Soup-er Sunday in November 2015. In 2016, Hillert, was diagnosed with stage four non-smoker’s lung cancer and died on May 18, 2017 but was an active committee member and attended 2016’s event in his wheelchair. To learn more, please visit the Clifton Forge Area Food Pantry Facebook page. The event is sponsored by The Historic Masonic Theatre.

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