Knoxville SOUP is looking for community-focused projects from throughout Knox County that could benefit from an extra helping of funds.
The next SOUP micro-funding event will take place Thursday, Oct. 24, at Kerbela Shriners of Knoxville, 315 Mimosa Ave. The deadline to enter an application to present a project is Monday, Oct. 14.
SOUP is a grassroots organization that holds semi-quarterly events at rotating locations to help raise money for projects that will benefit the community. Neighborhood and community groups, nonprofits, businesses and individuals are welcome to submit their projects for consideration.
Up to four projects are chosen to present at each event. Attendees listen to the brief proposals, then dine on a meal of soup, salad, bread and dessert; discuss the projects; and vote for their favorite.
The project with the most votes wins the cash from the door. (A donation of $5 per person is suggested at entry.) At the most recent SOUP, on Aug. 13, South Knoxville Youth Sports won the hearts of attendees and the pot of $1,466 to fund the Maynard Glenn Ballpark Parking and Security Lighting project. The prize beat the previous SOUP record of $1,050, set this past spring.
The SOUP application consists of four simple questions and is available at www.knoxvillesoup.org. For the Oct. 24 event, doors will open at 6 p.m. and presentations will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Knoxville SOUP is presented by the South Knoxville Alliance but is open to participants countywide. For more information, contact Adam Fritts, chair of the October event, at 865-406-8249 or afritts@greatschoolspartnership.com.
Betsy Pickle is a freelance writer and editor who particularly enjoys spotlighting South Knoxville.