Nonprofit Profile: Stone Soup Foundation Offers Dinner with Dignity

The recently-founded nonprofit Stone Soup Foundation has set out on a mission to alleviate hunger in Carroll County.

The name and idea for the organization comes from this old folktale:

Once upon a time, somewhere in post-war Eastern Europe, there was a great famine in which people jealously hoarded whatever food they could find, hiding it even from their friends and neighbors. One day a wandering soldier came into a village and began asking questions as if he planned to stay for the night.

"There's not a bite to eat in the whole province," he was told. "Better keep moving on."

"Oh, I have everything I need," he said. "In fact, I was thinking of making some stone soup to share with all of you." He pulled an iron cauldron from his wagon, filled it with water, and built a fire under it. Then, with great ceremony, he drew an ordinary-looking stone from a velvet bag and dropped it into the water.

By now, hearing the rumor of food, most of the villagers had come to the square or watched from their windows. As the soldier sniffed the "broth" and licked his lips in anticipation, hunger began to overcome their skepticism.

"Ahh," the soldier said to himself rather loudly, "I do like a tasty stone soup. Of course, stone soup with cabbage -- that's hard to beat."

Soon a villager approached hesitantly, holding a cabbage he'd retrieved from its hiding place, and added it to the pot. "Capital!" cried the soldier. "You know, I once had stone soup with cabbage and a bit of salt beef as well, and it was fit for a king."

The village butcher managed to find some salt beef . . . and so it went, through potatoes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, and so on, until there was indeed a delicious meal for all. The villagers offered the soldier a great deal of money for the magic stone, but he refused to sell and traveled on the next day.

The mindset is the community helping each other by each contributing effort, according to Executive Director Terry Pitt. Patch talked with Pitt about Stone Soup's goals and plans.

The Stone Soup Foundation, Inc.  was created in December 2010 with the mission of alleviating hunger in Carroll County. Pitt said she intends to do this by soliciting, collecting, growing, serving and packaging food for distribution through a network of agencies and programs.

Pitt said Stone Soup's client base is low-income and homeless people, who need emergency help to put food on the table and to receive hot nutritious meals.  The foundation plans to operate a kitchen and warehouse facility for donated or rescued food storage.  In addition to establishing and cultivating crops for use in the meals, Pitt said the Foundation also actively solicits food from food banks, local food growers, retailers, wholesalers and processors.  

Pitt explained that The Stone Soup Foundation plans to serve nutritious foods rich in Calcium, Vitamin D, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Riboflavin, and Iron.  Milk, dark leafy greens and quality meats will be served whenever possible.  The foundation will prepare meals that are low in fat and sodium, minimizing unhealthy processed foods and focusing on seasonal goods.  For example, pasta sauce is an expensive “convenience” food.  The foundation will prepare fresh sauces from surplus tomatoes in late summer and freeze for use in the winter.  

"We are a unique organization not only because of the quality of the foods we serve, but also because of when we serve," Pitt said. "While every day of the week is covered in Carroll County for lunch service, The Stone Soup Foundation serves dinners."  

Pitt said that another unique aspect of her organization is the fact that it provides a comfortable environment in addition to meals. 

"We are more of a gathering place than a soup kitchen," Pitt said. "Folks can come in from the extreme weather conditions, relax with a coffee or iced tea, read the paper or attend seminars on interviewing techniques, re-acclimation to society post incarceration or attend A.A./N.A. meetings."

Stone Soup aims to provide nutritious and delicious dinners to those in need throughout the community. 

"We cater a four-course meal to the ladies and children at the Women’s and Children’s Shelter once a month and we hold quarterly events for the public," Pitt said.  

In March, in honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, Stone Soup hosted a Green Eggs and Ham breakfast with The Cat in the Hat, at no charge, with the goal to solicit donations.  This month, they are hosting a Book and Burger Drive in honor of Ernest Hemingway’s birthday, with “The Ghost of Ernest Hemingway” available to sign books.  And Pitt said there are plans for a Fall Fest and a holiday bazaar.  

As an ongoing fundraiser, Stone Soup also sells homemade pies with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the foundation.

"Some of my favorite moments during this venture have been the smiles on the faces (and sometimes tears of joy) of the homeless women and children when we cater a full gourmet meal," Pitt said. "The ladies feel so very special and the little slice of happiness we can provide is indescribable."

Pitt said that the community has been very welcoming of her organization. 

"Having only been in existence since December 2010, I have been astounded by the outreach and generosity of the local community," she said. "Westminster is a family town with old fashioned values.  I highly respect that." 

But Pitt isn't done. She has higher aspirations.

"We are working on a five- to seven-minute black and white documentary on the homeless," Pitt said.  "Background music has been written and recorded.  We will launch with a spokesperson, a very popular celebrity, as a major fundraiser."

Reach Terry Pitt at 410-707-2769 to volunteer or learn more.