The Sunrise Optimist Club of Freehold will host its 10th annual “Souper Bowl Sunday” fundraiser on Feb. 1 in the ballroom at the Knob Hill Golf Club, Route 33 West, Manalapan.
From 2-5 p.m., quarts of chili and soup will be sold for $5 per quart, said Carmen Rivello, a 22-year charter member of the Sunrise Optimist Club, one of 4,100 Optimist clubs that conduct community and youth oriented projects nationwide.
Everyone in the community is invited to come to Knob Hill to buy the soup and chili and to support the efforts of the Optimist Club.
The club is planning to use the proceeds to support children’s sports leagues in Manalapan, but money is available for any youths in need in Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties, Rivello said.
“Last year we sold nearly 250 quarts” of soup and chili, he said. “That is the most we have ever sold. Most people try to come in by 2 p.m. By 4:30 p.m. it’s all gone.”
The afternoon sale gives people time to pick up the soup and chili and to return home in time to watch the NFL Super Bowl on television that evening.
Rivello said his goal is to make more money for youths each year.
“The more we sell, the more we can help the kids out,” he said.
Sylvia Allen, president of Allen Consulting Inc. and a Sunrise Optimist Club board member, said she plans to make 20 quarts of chicken vegetable soup.
“It doesn’t take long. I can make it in three hours,” Allen said. “There’s a wonderful joy to giving. All that you put into the lives of others comes back into your own.”
Rivello said he and other members of the Sunrise Optimist Club came up with the idea for the “Souper Bowl” about eight years ago. The Olde Silver Tavern in Manalapan hosted the event before it moved to Knob Hill.
Jason DelliSanti, the director of food and beverage at Knob Hill, said, “I hope it’s another successful event.”
DelliSanti said Knob Hill’s Sycamore Grille will contribute one of its soups to the Feb. 1 fundraiser, possibly lentil or split pea soup.
Knob Hill also provides the containers for all of the chili and soup donated by local businesses, restaurants and Sunrise Optimist Club members, DelliSanti said.
Every August the Sunrise Optimist Club funds Camp Quality in Blairstown for children who have cancer. The children who are fighting a difficult medical battle enjoy all of the activities that other summer camps offer, Rivello said.
“We’re about fellowship and raising money for kids,” said Frank Dalotto, the director of Camp Quality New Jersey and a 10-year member of the Sunrise Optimist Club.
The Sunrise Optimist Club meets every Friday at 7 a.m. in the Golden Bell Diner, Route 9 South and Elton-Adelphia Road, Freehold Township. Rivello said anyone who may need some assistance can contact the club.
“We’ll buy you breakfast and see how we can help,” he said.