'Best lunch of the year'

COEUR d’ALENE — For Kay Baragona, the Firehouse Chili concocted by Kootenai County Fire and Rescue was excellent.

“I love it,” she said Thursday.

But the Rathdrum resident wasn’t quite ready to declare it the best because she had just arrived at Souport the End of Homelessness.

“I still have to try the rest,” Baragona said.

And the rest, judging by reactions of some of the more than 600 who attended the annual St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho fundraiser, were also very good.

Guests paid $20 to sample 2-ounce servings of 33 different soups made by local chefs that included professionals like Ken Glessner of Bardenay in Coeur d'Alene with Chicken Mulligatawny and amateurs like Bill Greenwood, Coeur d'Alene parks director, with his spicy chicken and rice for the city's Soup de Coeur team.

Diane Lawrence was glad to try the offerings and pleased to see such a large crowd.

“I like that the community is getting together and supporting an organization that helps so many people,” she said.

Soups ranged from asparagus to beer cheese to tomato to seafood chowder to curry butternut squash.

They came with names like Pirates Cheesy Hamburger Gruel, Bowl of Love, Grandma Rose’s Chicken Soup and Cindy’s Mom’s Portuguese Soup.

Soups were entered by the likes of Habitat for Humanity of North Idaho, Twin Lakes Community Schoolhouse, Capone’s, The Village Bakery, Hospice of North Idaho, Friends of Coeur d’Alene Public Library, Cochinito Taqueria and more. 

People could try any and all, and did.

“To me, this is the best lunch of the year,” said Alex Litz, who serves on St. Vincent de Paul's board of directors. 

Litz was partial to the Ono soup of Reliant Healthcare, whose Hawaiian-themed booth was manned by Amanda Skellenger and Tiffany Massett.

“Their booth is well-decorated and the soup is awesome," Litz said. 

Massett said they wanted to be part of the event as a way to give back to the community.

“We work in health care and we see all different walks of life,” she said. "This tugs at our hearts.”

The dreary, rainy weather actually made the event at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds even better, said Larry Riley, executive director of St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho.

Hot soup on a cold day hits the spot, he said, and the conditions outside highlighted the importance of funding St. Vincent de Paul's warming center in Post Falls. It will keep hundreds out of the cold this winter.

“When you think of  the clientele we’re trying to serve, these people are living outdoors in these conditions. It reinforces what we’re here for,” Riley said.

Community leaders sold wooden nickels to be used to cast votes for the People's Choice soup. The winner was Drummin Up BBQ's Seafood Chowder.

Diane Lawrence was a fan.

“I think it was the blend of flavors,” she said. “There was nothing that really jumped out and dominated.”

Second place went to Seasons of Coeur d’Alene with Uncle Dalton’s Chili, and third to White Cypress Natural Health with Tom Kha Gai Bisque.

Judge’s Choice award went to Drummin Up BBQ, followed by Bardenay Restaurant & Distillery with its Chicken Mulligatawny and Seasons of Coeur d’Alene with Uncle Dalton's Chili.

The Best Decorated award went to Reliant Healthcare, while second went to Capone's Pub on the Green and third to Bardenay.

Stan Tebow with Rotary Club of Coeur d’Alene Evening, joined by a colleague in a gorilla suit, was smiling as he quickly served up Portuguese Soup.

“People are loving it,” said Tebow, who won his club’s soup competition for the right to be there Thursday.

“The winner got promoted to this location,” he said.

Meaghan Sheets, Mrs. Coeur d’Alene, was one of the celebrities on hand who handled several roles, including selling tokens and being a judge.

“It’s been so fun," she said. "Everyone has been so warm and kind and genuine. These people truly care about the community.”

Chris Way, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue fire chief, said they were pleased to be part of the fundraiser for the first time.

He said firefighters see the impacts of homelessness in Kootenai County. 

“Our community supports us very well,” he said. “This is a way we can give back to the community.”

Riley said the event raised about $25,000, which provides St. Vincent with about 35% of its warming shelter’s 2023 estimated expenses of $70,000.

He said seeing such a turnout was heartwarming. Not only was it record attendance, but a few community leaders surprised St. Vincent's at check-in by donating thousands of dollars.

“We have a loving, caring community that understands the need to take care of our most vulnerable,” he said.

Riley said people everywhere are struggling to get by.

"Let's face it. Regardless of where you look, we're inundated with despair. From unrest around the globe or in our very own backyard, this nagging economy, historic inflation and cost of living is pinching every household," he wrote. "Yet even with that, it warms me to see the generosity of this community."

    Soup is served at the "Souport The End of Homelessness" fundraiser for St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds on Thursday.

    Catherine Monsey, left, and Kristy Golding with Advanced Benefits serve cups of "Pirates Cheesy Hamburger Gruel" at the "Souport The End of Homelessness" fundraiser for St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds on Thursday.