Operation: Soup Drop

COEUR d'ALENE — Brooke Wood, Penny Poitras and Carol Irby were on a mission Thursday as they marched into the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs North Idaho Clinic.

They delivered 28 homemade split pea, vegetable beef and gnocchi soup lunches to doctors and staff at the clinic as part of Prestige Care at Legends Park's "soup drop" event.

The mission: To raise funds for the Guardians Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit that assists military veterans and their families with food, clothing, household items, counseling, education, jobs and other ways to combat homelessness.

"It’s fantastic, and that’s why we do it," said Brenda Baker, VA North Idaho Clinic manager and soup recipient. "We’re here for the vets and just want to show our support for them. We were super excited to be able to support the vets and have a nice meal at the same time."

Wood, who serves as the community relations director for Prestige Care at Legends Park, explained this is one way her company enjoys giving back to the community.

"This year we’ve taken a very proactive approach to the local community," she said. "Instead of donating a bunch of money all over we’re trying to keep it local. We’re trying to do outreach that makes a difference instead of outreach that is just about ourselves."

Prestige at Legends has conducted other charitable food "drops" for other nonprofits in the past, but it was the first time for soup and the first time as a benefit for the Guardians Foundation. The $5 soup lunches, fittingly delivered on a cold and rainy day, included bottles of water, apple pie cookies, rolls and soup of choice.

"I think this is an awesome idea. For me, the convenience of having a nice hot soup lunch delivered to me is absolutely worth $5," said Penny Poitras, director of administration for the Guardians Foundation. "We’re so excited because they picked us. The need is always greater than we can provide, but the donations today will help."

Wood began the "soup drop" process by sending out fliers to local clinics and health care offices to inform them of the fundraiser and get orders ahead of time. Five locations responded, including Ironwood Family Practice, Kootenai Clinic, Garden Plaza of Post Falls and Life Care Center of Coeur d'Alene. Wood said 85 orders were placed and that the "soup drop" raised almost $500 for the Guardians Foundation.

"I picked them because I feel there is a major need in this area for support and help for our vets," Wood said. "The VA can only do so much."