The soup was ready on a chilly Sunday afternoon for BEDS Plus’s 12th Annual “Soup and Bread” event.
Almost 1,000 guests and volunteers packed the Holiday Inn Countryside to sample La Grange-area restaurants’ soups and help BEDS Plus’s battle against homelessness.
“What we love about this event is that it’s a demonstration of our mission,” Tina Rounds, executive director of BEDS Plus, said as the room filled up with guests. “It’s people sitting together with strangers, breaking bread, enjoying local restaurants, enjoying local breweries, and just having a good time together.”
The tickets were $25 for each individual — under 8 years old free — and a special “staycation” package could be had for a family of four in a room at the Holiday Inn. Families could stay over Saturday night, attend “Soup and Bread” on Sunday, and not be pressured by an early checkout.
Rounds had the idea for the event from a similar, but slightly different, event at The Hideout, a Lincoln Park music venue.
“I thought it would be a good way to communicate our mission out to people,” she said.
Contributing eateries included many from La Grange and some from as far away as Summit.
La Grange’s Prasino served up Greek Egg Lemon soup; Antonino’s Ristorante had traditional Italian Minestrone; Steak and Vine’s specialty was Carrot Ginger; Palmer Place had Beef Chili; Kama Bistro had Lobster Bisque; Blackberry Market served Smokey Sweet Potato.
Brookfield’s Irish Times served corn beef and cabbage; The Stadium in McCook had stuffed green peppers; Ledo’s Pizza in Countryside served Broccoli Cheddar soup; The Works Pizzeria and Tavern in Summit had Chicken and Dumpling soup.
Guests could get drinks from La Grange’s Milk Money Brewery, and breweries from nearby towns, like Imperial Oak Brewery in Brookfield, BuckleDown Brewery in Lyons, and Hop District in La Grange Park.
Representatives from Whistle Pig Whiskey came from Vermont so guests could sample its bourbon.
The audience was entertained by Charles and Company playing Motown music, dance music, and R&B hits of the 50s on the main stage. Other acts included Country-Folk singer Matt Dvorak and Old Friends, acoustic duo Crows of Furey, and Marko the Roving Magician.
Raffle tickets were available for $25 — five for $100 — giving buyers a chance to win a 7-night stay in Los Vegas, a 4-night, 5-day stay in Colorado, and a one-night stay at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, with dinner at the Kama restaurant, and a concert at The Salt Shed, a Wicker Park music venue.
Sponsors included local philanthropist Linda Sokol Francis, The Posey Law Group, Compass Realty (Smothers Group), First National Bank and Trust, Vear Financial Services, and Brookfield Bank.
“I have to say, the turnout today was so fantastic, and it just shows you how many people care in our community about individuals who are struggling with housing, and housing insecurities,” Erin Molek, development manager of BEDS Plus, said. “They’re supporting us in the work we’re doing by coming today…I have to say, I’m really impressed.”
Molek noted that BEDS Plus opened a facility in nearby Summit that is celebrating its first anniversary on March 1.
“The Summit office is doing really well, and we’re always looking for volunteers,” she said. “Volunteers are something we always need and they’re the backbone of what we do.”
Summit President Sergio Rodriguez attended and spoke of the success of the new facility.
“We had a BEDS Plus open in Summit and it’s wonderful to see this many people out for a great cause,” he said. “The Summit location helps people who are homeless, and those who are experiencing medical issues. They can stay there temporarily and staff works to get them back on their feet and make sure they have a secure place to live. The top floor actually provides resources, not only for people that live there, but anyone in the area; it could be anything from food insecurity, if they have medical needs, or where they can reach out to another agency that can help them.”
La Grange Village President Mark Kuchler was there, saying “They’ve raised a lot of money today and they’re a great organization. This is a wonderful event.”
Nanette Pecoraro, co-owner of Antonino’s, said the restaurant had been volunteering at “Soup and Bread” for about nine years.
“People get to try our soup, we’re helping the homeless, and it’s a great opportunity for everyone,” she said.
One of the volunteers, Tammy Montefinese, lives in Brookfield and was inspired to help by BEDS Plus’s coming to the area.
“I did this last year with my friend Becky, and we decided to do it again this year,” she said. “I watched the coming of BEDS to the community, and when I saw that this was a fundraiser for BEDS, I wanted to be part of it.”
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.