Souper Sunday Expands: A Growing Movement of Kindness, Connection and Soup
Olympia, WA – March – Souper Sunday, a non-profit that fosters community through the simple act of sharing warm meals, today announced that what began as a simple idea—offering free soup for anyone—has grown into a thriving movement spanning three states. An initiative of the Food Source Foundation which addresses food insecurity in the greater Olympia, WA area and beyond, Souper Sunday is making a profound impact in communities by creating a culture of generosity, inclusion, and connection through free shared meals. Founded in 2024, the flagship Souper Sunday group served 7,200 meals in its first year, demonstrating the power of grassroots giving.
This momentum has led to the launch of seven new Souper Sunday groups across three states, bringing the total number of groups to eight. Souper Sunday locations now include:
- Aberdeen, WA
- Lacey, WA
- Olympia, WA (founding group)
- Olympia, WA (Westside)
- Olympia, WA (Glenmore)
- Tehaleh, WA
- Simi Valley, CA
- Polson, MT
With each new group, more individuals and families are receiving the comfort of a home-cooked meal and a reminder that they are not alone. The impact of Souper Sunday goes beyond food—it’s about building a culture of generosity and strengthening the bonds between neighbors.
Chris Hyde, founder of Souper Sunday, said: “When I first started Souper Sunday, I wanted to make sure no one in our community felt alone or hungry. I never imagined that it would grow into something so much bigger. Seeing new groups start in other cities and states is incredible—it proves that kindness is contagious. People want to help their neighbors, and sometimes all it takes is a simple bowl of soup to bring a community together. I hope to see Souper Sunday groups bringing communities together in every corner of the country.“
“When I first heard about Souper Sunday, I knew I wanted to be part of it. The idea of bringing people together over a simple bowl of soup really spoke to me. There are so many people in our community who could use a warm meal and a little kindness, and this movement makes it so easy to help—just put on a pot of soup and share it with your community. Starting a Souper Sunday group has been such a rewarding experience,” said Suzzane Flanagan Grizzelle, Simi Valley, CA Souper Sunday group owner.
Souper Sunday invites more communities to join the movement. By empowering people to start their own Souper Sunday groups, the initiative is creating lasting change, one bowl of soup at a time.
About Souper Sunday
Souper Sunday is a community-driven initiative of the Food Source Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing food insecurity in the greater Olympia, WA area and beyond. With a mission to ensure equitable access to nourishing food, the foundation fosters local partnerships and innovative solutions to support individuals and families facing food insecurity. Through Souper Sunday, volunteers and community members come together to share homemade soups and meals, strengthening connections and providing reliable, nourishing food to anyone. By combining grassroots efforts with a broader vision of sustainable food access, the Food Source Foundation empowers communities to create lasting change.