T-R PHOTO BY SARA JORDAN-HEINTZ A variety of soups, desserts and, of course, bowls, will be available during the annual Soup Bowl luncheon at Elim Lutheran Church on Saturday. The event is a fundraiser for the House of Compassion.

The House of Compassion, which offers free evening meals, a supply closet, school supplies, prescription vouchers, utility assistance, support through the JobPath program, and more, will serve its annual soup bowl luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Elim Lutheran Church, 302 W. Church St.

At a cost of $10 per adult, and $5 per child (kids 5 and under eat for free), attendees are served soup, dessert, and a beverage and get to take home the bowl. Marshalltown High School students make the bowls in advanced pottery class — a long-standing tradition. All bowls are glazed and are food safe. They’re also washed before the meal.

“People will notice this is the first year we’re holding it on a Saturday — it’s different from years past, when we held it on a Sunday,” HOC Executive Director Jasmine Spikes noted. “And it’s easy to host it at Elim, they’re right across from us.”

Soups will again be donated by local restaurant Opa Grill.

“We are donating the same as last year: 25 gallons in total. Five gallons lemon chicken rice (gluten free), five gallons Rosa Maria (not gluten free), five gallons lentil bean (gluten free) and 10 gallons broccoli cheddar (gluten free),” said owner Yanni Coutsougeras.

The HOC is seeking donations of desserts (any that do not require refrigeration) closer to the end of the week. Spikes said it’s helpful to label the items to note any major allergens such as wheat or nuts.

A silent auction of pottery will again take place, with proceeds going into the HOC Scholarship Fund, open to any Marshall County students pursuing an education at an accredited college.

“We take two students from Marshalltown High School and one from East Marshall and one from West Marshall,” Spikes added. “They get $500, or $250 each semester of the first year. We have a scholarship committee, and we receive the applications from high school counselors. We ask them to identify students who would benefit the most, who are also maybe at risk, or they may not have qualified for scholarships originally, different things like that. We’re trying to make sure that we bridge that gap where some students might fall through.”

New this year is a donation by Earl May, including plants and seeds. Spikes explained that each table would be decorated with a bowl of microgreens in the middle.

“We also have broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts as centerpieces. It will be fun,” she said. “The centerpieces will be for sale, and you can take them home after the luncheon. These are the shallower bowls that don’t always get selected for the soup.”

Each table will also have a homemade Campbell’s soup can that will list the HOC’s 2025 statistics, such as 15,449 total meals served.

Water, lemonade and coffee will also be provided. Cash or check will be accepted. There will also be a photo booth.

“We believe being part of the community means helping take care of each other. The House of Compassion does incredible work supporting people in need, and if something as simple as a warm bowl of soup can help someone feel cared for, we’re proud to be part of that,” Coutsougeras said.

Money raised from the luncheon benefits the HOC’s nightly soup kitchen meals, with a part of the funds going to benefit the MHS art department.

For more information, or to arrange a time to donate a dessert, Spikes may be reached at: 641-752-5999 and director@houseofcompassion.net.