Loaf and Slurp labeled a success

Mon, Nov 23, 2009    to del.icio.us

Local restaurant owner Adonna Fowler called the first Loaf and Slurp a success, even though they didn't feed the 300 people they were hoping for.

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"I'm guessing we probably served about 100," Fowler said about the free soup event held Saturday afternoon and evening outside her business, Rainy Days Cafe, 121 N. Beechtree.

"But I think it went really well. We had a lot of fun," she said.

Fowler said participants filled a trailer with donations for the local food pantries. A canister for donations of money was also filled.

"We took the trailer of food to The People Center (in Spring Lake)," Fowler said. "The food pantry said we stocked them."

Fowler said they took the donations from the canister and bought "a lot of stuff" for Love INC also.

Bill and Virginia Kennedy of Grand Haven brought daughters Ruby, 1, and Joy, 2, in a stroller to the event.

"We come here every Saturday," Bill said. "We didn't want to miss this event."

Rainy Houle, Fowler's sister and manager of the restaurant said "We're doing this so we can feed the community."

Houle said she's long wanted to give people the gift of a meal and "this is the year to do it." The free meals are a way to help the community during a sour economy, she said.

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Four types of soup and chili, bread, cookies and hot drinks were served during the event held from 4-7 p.m. Saturday. The food was served in front of the restaurant and seating was provided in a heated tent in the parking lot next door.

Fowler said several area businesses contributed to help make the event a success. Mancino's Pizza and Grinders donated one of the soups and Westwind Construction provided the lights and the parking lot. There were some private donations, including the use of the tent. Some local businesses also provided door prizes.

"Now that we know what to expect — it can be even bigger," Fowler said. "We definitely will do it again next year."