This is a response to a comment question about how we will handle the money, very legitimate question. I turned my answer into a post to share with everyone. I hope this explains a little better what we want to achieve.
HI Laura
That is a very good question and I’m sure you are not the only one to question that. The answer is simple. We are all volunteers and will depend on volunteers and donations. In reality the idea can only work if the community steps up to help itself.
The bottom line though is that all time is volunteered and there are no administration costs. If we can get the response that Detroit does the soup and bread will be donated. If not the cost comes out of that nights funds.
The sponsoring body is the Asheville Business Achievers Association (ABAA).
ABAA is the oldest business / leads group in the Asheville area. Many of our members have been with the group 15 years or more. Grass roots, community, and helping business are what we are all about. Current president is Joe Jakubielski: joe@hometownvalueguide.com.
Me, my name is Chris Kaminski, I am an ABAA member and the current head of the “Soup” committee and chief volunteer. I can be reached at chris@ashevillesoup.com
The money, to explain that it is just easier for me to copy the answer for the “Soup” guide put out by the Detroit “Soup”. Yes there are others, this is not a new idea and there are guides to help get started. We didn’t make it up but we did think it was one hell of an idea and one of the few where everybody wins, it just takes a little social conscience.
The money is raised by donating for the dinner, soup and a salad. Presentations are made during the dinner. At the end all paid diners vote on which project gets the money raised that night. Micro-funding through democracy.
From the manual:
Tax Structure
Becoming a non-profit is ALOT of work and unnecessary to begin the project. Because the money is so little from each person we haven’t found a reason to become our own 501(c) 3 nonprofit. The dinner acts as a mediary between the diners and the winner. We provide the money for people to offer their cash to a creative or social project in the city.
From the manual:
The soup and salad we have tried to have all local Michigan or Detroit grown ingredients. It really continues to connect to the community and local growers. It can be such a magical experience. We have also had groups of people work together to make the soup beforehand to have a communal experience together.
Finding soup and salad makers can be fun. We have asked friends, local growers, people with garden in their backyards, local businesses, SOUP participants, and restaurant startups to either donate or be reimbursed for their contribution. For 150 people at the dinner we offer a $50-75 stipend to cover the cost of the soup, $20-25 for the salad.
From the manual:
Bread: We have partnered with a local bakery that if we show up the day before or the day of SOUP to pick up any day olds. They give us a lot of bread and we always like to acknowledge their generosity by letting people know that they have given us the bread.
The idea is to bring the community together to help themselves $5-10 dollars at a time.
