a Redhead in the Junior League: Soup's On!

Each December, months in advance, League members have one question - are we volunteering with The South Side Soup Contest?

This annual event is a fun-filled, winter activity that introduces ticket holders to the South Side neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Approximately 25 restaurants enter an original soup into the contest, and 25 stores and businesses host the restaurants as they serve three ounces of steaming goodness to each participant. At the end of the day, votes are cast for best all around, best veggie, most unique and host with the most.

Our members volunteer at the different soup stations, helping to keep things tidy and the guests happy. It's a fun way to spend the day with your fellow members, meet people in the community and support a local food pantry. We're honored that the contest welcomes us back each year, with 50 ladies volunteering this past Saturday.

As an added bonus, in most recent years, the day is filled with the type of sunshine that can only be appreciated in the middle of February.

Special thanks to Leah Worbs, Megan Worbs and Rick Hoffmaster for joining me on this soup crawl, providing rations, and helping me navigate the perils of seafood gumbos and chowders.

The Soup Contest supports the Brashear Association, including their food assistance program. This holds a special place in my heart, as my community and civic engagement began as a pre-teen working in a soup kitchen with my grandparents. Through this experience, my grandparents taught me the innate dignity and integrity of every person, and how we must show each other respect in all circumstances. While I enjoy the work of the Junior League of Pittsburgh - the building playgrounds and the mentoring of young women - my grandfather often reminds me "Don't forget to feed people, Gretchen."