The Giving Spoon raises $13,000 for The Bridge

By Deanna Bertrand

LEAMINGTON —Over 500 people were treated to 14 different freshly made soup combinations this past weekend with the return of the Giving Spoon soup fundraiser for The Bridge Youth Resource Centre on Sherk Street.

Organizers Bill Dunn (aka The Soup Guru) and Steve Plourde (aka Froggy) said they started out with four pots of soup in 2009 at the Masonic Hall and it just kept growing, eventually joining forces with The Bridge.

Dunn, who has been perfecting his Cream of Bacon Potato soup over the years, says he used 42 pounds of bacon and 150 pounds of potatoes for the two giant pots which were served over the twoday event.

Charlie, 9, Eloise, 4, and mom Tina Avila enjoy some dessert after trying out several soups at the Giving Spoon fundraiser this past weekend.

SUN photos by Deanna Bertrand

“This (The Bridge) is a great organization,” said Dunn, who added that they were also here to bring awareness and raise funds for the centre and its programs to help area youth become successful adults.

Saturday’s event raised $5,700 and Sunday’s totals were added later, but when the boullion settled, a total of $13,000 was raised in person and online.

This was the first year back to an in-person event since the pandemic put a hold on indoor gatherings.

More than 35 volunteers were on hand over the weekend, with even more volunteers helping out behind the scenes and getting things ready prior to the event, according to Plourde.

Many local establishments donated soups for the event, which featured a vast variety like Dill Pickle, Hungarian Mushroom, Wicked Thai, Navy Bean and Sausage, Roasted Red Pepper, Mennonite Chicken, Broccoli and Cheese, Clam Chowder, Cabbage Roll, Amish Chili, Cream of Roasted Garlic and Dunn’s Cream of Potato Bacon.