Soup’s on, gather ‘round, and open your wallet. Giving circles can make a difference

Thirteen years ago, my friend Cece and I started what is called a “Giving Circle.” We both had read about them and were impressed by the apparent simplicity and its potential impact on those in need of support.

The pattern for most giving circles is pretty much the same: A group of friends get together for a meal and pool their resources to support a needy person or a compelling cause. One afternoon after work, aided by a glass of wine and a legal pad, Cece and I formulated a plan.

We each invited five friends to an initial meeting at Cece’s. In the course of that evening, we decided to support organizations that focused on women, children, food, shelter and literacy. We further agreed to limit our support to local organizations, knowing it would enhance the impact of our gifts. Besides, this is the place we lived and worked and cared about most.

We have sought out organizations, such as ROOF in Rochester, which provide similar services in rural areas of our community. We agreed on a regular meeting time, volunteered for a month to host and committed to a minimum monthly donation.

In an effort to keep the group from becoming a gourmet dinner club, we decided to call ourselves “Soup Sisters” and limit the menu to soup and bread. We later learned that some of us didn’t “do” soup, at least not without the aid of a can. Guess what? We discovered you can buy “homemade” soup.

On our meeting night, we catch up with each other over a glass of wine, sit down for soup, then get around to the business of selecting a charity. Everyone shares ideas on projects or programs they have learned of through work or friends or read about in the newspaper.

Last month, the Sunday editorial about the rise of depression and anxiety among children in our community prompted us to donate to Community Youth Services. On a rafting trip, we learned about the Mary M. Knight school, a K-12 school district in Mason County with 500-plus students housed in one building. After meeting with the superintendent, we decided to support the library.

Occasionally, we invite a guest to join us. Mary Beth Cline introduced us to the Thurston County Food Project, a neighborhood-based organization that supports but is independent from the Food Bank. Every other month, participants fill a green bag with non-perishables, which are collected and delivered to the Food Bank. Advocates from Quixote Village and Safe Place have inspired repeat contributions.

Since our first meeting in 2007, the Soup Sisters has given to 50 different organizations, most more than once. We have gifted all of the well-known organizations that fit our criteria, as well as many that were new to us. Learning about the organizations and their mission has been inspiring. It also has knitted us into a tight group of friends who look forward to our monthly gatherings and to hearing from the non-profits we support.

Forming a Giving Circle as we did is simplicity itself. No need for officers, by-laws or a bank account. Everyone writes a check and gives it to the host, who sends a letter to the non-profit explaining who we are, along with the checks. Imagine the whoops of delight when the letter arrives and the checks fall out.

The Soup Sisters’ consistent giving during the past 13 years has put close to $50,000 at the disposal of area nonprofits. A circle is perpetual. Being part of a Giving Circle enriches your own life, helps another and builds a stronger community.