The Giving Spoon returns April 1-2

By Mark Ribble

The Soup Guru says the Giving Spoon will enter its 14th year when the event takes place on April 1 and 2 this year.

Bill Dunn — known in local circles as the Soup Guru — has been spearheading the soup fundraiser since 2009, when he had an idea about making soup for people who needed a hand up.

“We started November 1 and it ran through Christmas,” he told the Sun last week. “We had four pots of soup and it was free to anyone who needed it.”

Dunn, who is long-time Leamington Councillor, says the funds raised early on helped them purchase backpacks for kids, Toys for Tots and adopt families at the Salvation Army during the holidays.

“When The Bridge opened, that really ramped it up for us,” he says. “The work they do there is wonderful.”

After two years off for COVID, the event returned last year on a smaller scale, but Dunn says they are ready to ramp up again this year, with 16 soups being offered each day of the event.

He says they are grateful for the volunteers and sponsors they’ve accumulated over the years.

“We’re always lookingfor more,” he added.

Oak Farms teams up with Alberto’s Bakery each year to supply the buns and Dunn says that and other donations get them through with flying colours.

“We have desserts, coffee and soft drinks and always have takeout available,” he said. “We just want to keep bringing awareness to the homelessness plight and we have a great community of wonderful people.”

The Giving Spoon happens Saturday , April 1 and Sunday, April 2 at The Bridge Youth Resource Centre on Sherk Street in Leamington. Soups served will include Bill’s famous cream of potato bacon, cream of roasted garlic, clam chowder, dill pickle soup, cabbage roll soup and more.

The ladling begins at 11 am and wraps up at 2 pm.

The Bridge President George Bergen, left, and Manager of Operations Greg Wiens stand back as the Soup Guru Bill Dunn (centre) serves up a hot bowl of soup at the 2019 Giving Spoon Fundraiser at The Bridge Youth Resource Centre. The event returns to The Bridge on April 1-2, 2023. SUN archives