9th Annual Stewpot Alliance Soup’s On! Luncheon and Art Sale

Gloria Campos and Heather Sauber

The 9th annual Stewpot Alliance Soup’s On! Luncheon and Art Sale was held Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at downtown Dallas’ historic Union Station. The luncheon honored the group of Dallas visionaries who founded the Stewpot Alliance 10 years ago in 2007 after seeing a need for the community to support The Stewpot.

Honorees included Karen Ware, Jennifer Clifford, Catherine Bywaters, Marty Coleman, Margie Francis, Nancy Gillham, Jan Hegi, Kathy Jackson, Martha Lipscomb, Martha Martin, Joan Mason, Suzanne Palmlund, Micki Rawlings, Carolyn Walton and Trish Weigand.

Longtime Stewpot Alliance supporters and civic leaders Margie and Ray Francis served as Honorary Chairs of the 2017 luncheon, chaired by Stewpot Alliance board member Heather Sauber.  Dallas Morning News journalist Robert Wilonsky moderated a panel which included Mayor Mike Rawlings, Florencia Velasco Fortner, President and CEO, The Concilio, Sergeant Jeff Tooker, Police Department, City of Dallas and Keven Ann Willey, Vice President and Editorial Page Editor, Dallas Morning News discussing the future of Dallas homelessness.

Ray and Margie Francis

Former WFAA news anchor Gloria Campos emceed the luncheon which included performances by WT Greer. The Stewpot Alliance Soup’s On! Luncheon and Art Show featured a dozen of Dallas’ finest chefs serving up a signature soup as part of the meal.

Chefs included Chef Chairman Brian C. Luscher of The Grape; Chefs Melody Bishop and Dennis Kelley, LARK on the Park; Chef Andrew Chen, Monkey King Noodle Company, Chef Andrew Dilda, Independent Bar and Kitchen; Chef Omar Flores, Casa Rubia and Whistlebritches; Chef Scott Girling, The Grape; Chef Danyele McPherson, 80/20 Hospitality; Chef Janice Provost, Parigi; Chef Jeremie Robison, Uchi Dallas; Chef Abraham Salum, Salum; Chef Andrew Swanson, Wolfgang Puck Catering.

The luncheon also included an art sale of original paintings from artists of the Stewpot Open Art Program The Stewpot began providing meals to homeless and at-risk neighbors in downtown Dallas more than 40 years ago. Programs and partnerships have developed to support medical and dental needs, counseling and case management, youth and family stabilization programs, therapeutic and vocational activities. Since its inception, The Stewpot has embraced the concept that transformation and growth take place when a person’s basic needs are met and creative spirit is nourished. In 2013, The Stewpot helped birth Encore Park, a new nonprofit that includes a community garden and amphitheater at 508 Park, across from The Stewpot. Additional expansion is planned to house partner agencies and programs at an adjoining property, 515 Park. For more information on the great work The Stewpot does in our community, visit http://thestewpot.org.


Photos c/o Rob Wythe