Making Soup, Investing in Dreams

Carol Wyatt of SI/Oakland County, MI (Midwestern Region), called SIA Board Director Vivian Walczesky of SI/Monroe County, MI (Midwestern Region) one evening last year to chat. The Oakland County club was sadly getting ready to disband after nearly 85 years of serving women and girls in their community, and Carol wanted to know if the club could pass along their famous bean soup recipe to be used to raise funds for the organization.

Vivian happily agreed and the Midwestern Region bean soup recipe gained more attention as it was presented at the 2021 district meeting as a new fundraising opportunity. Since then, the recipe, along with pre-made bags or mason jars of the dry ingredients, has been used to raise funds for the Dream Big Campaign. Each jar is sold for $10 and is available at various region events to support our goal of investing in the dreams of a half million women and girls by 2031.

The bean soup jars sold out at the Ladies Shopping Night Out in 2021, and currently, 100 new jars are being prepared to sell at the 2022 shopping night. The members of SI/Monroe County gathered together on November 9 to fill the jars to prepare:

Left to right, Katie Burroughs, president of SI Monroe County, MI and Anne Noland and Elaine Cangealose, co-chairs of Membership.

When asked what inspires her to continue this project, Director Vivian says, “Every woman and girl has a dream that they want fulfilled. Soroptimists are like-minded women trying to make a difference for women and girls. I want funds raised through the Dream Big Campaign to sustain our organization so that we can continue to provide support and programs that change lives.”

If you would like to use Midwestern Region’s bean soup recipe for one of your fundraisers, the former SI/Oakland County club has graciously provided the recipe to share with other clubs.

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RECIPE IS COURTESY OF SI/OAKLAND COUNTY, MI

5 pound bag Dry black beans

5 pound bag Dry Great Northern beans

5 pound bag Dry light red kidney beans

5 pound bag Dry navy beans

5 pound bag Dry pre-washed pinto beans

5 pound bag Dry red small beans

5 pound bag Dry lentils

5 pound bag Dry black eyed peas

5 pound bag Dry green peas

5 pound bag Dry baby lima beans

(cost per bag of beans is approximately $4.00)

Mix all beans together and use a 2 cup measuring cup.

Put 2 cups into a plastic baggie along with the Soroptimist Bean Soup recipe. The recipe below should be included inside each bag of beans.

Soroptimist Bean Soup Recipe:

Wash the two (2) cups of beans thoroughly. Soak overnight with two (2) cups of water and ¼ cup baking soda. Drain and rinse. In Dutch oven or soup kettle, add beans, two quarts of water, and a ham hock. Bring to a boil. Simmer slowly 2½ to 3 hours.  

Add:

2 cloves garlic, minced (optional) Salt and pepper to taste

1 carrot, chopped 1 large onion, chopped

1 large can (28 oz) tomatoes 1 stalk celery, chopped

½ tsp. oregano or to taste 1 tsp. chili powder

½ tsp. tabasco or to taste Juice of 1 lemon

½ tsp. basil or to taste

Simmer for another 1 ½ to 2 hours.

NOTE:  Instead of ham hock, try a soup bone and some beef.