Soup Sunday at Shake Shack

Soup Sunday at Shake Shack

Annual Families in Transition fundraiser will warm your heart and your belly

ralphhardin@gmail.com Families in Transition will hold their annual Soup Sunday fundraiser on this Sunday, March 5, at Big John’s Shake Shack, 409 Military Rd. in Marion, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Board of Directors of the organization is pleased to announce they will again partner with Loretta Tacker, owner of Shake Shack, for this annual event to benefit Families in Transition.

It will be the first Soup Sunday under the auspices of new director Cassie Rutledge. Rutledge, who many in the community already know from her tenure with CASA, took over for the retiring Marla Peden, who stepped down at the end of 2016 after several years as FIT director and as a board member.

Families in transition has been serving the community 20 years. Two decades ago, a small group of individuals felt there was a need in the community to offer support to battered women and their children.

That group paved the way and Families in Transition has provided safety and support to domestic violence victims ever since. In addition to promoting human and civil rights of women and children who have been victims of domestic violence, either physically, mentally or emotionally, they provide immediate transitional shelter and related assistance.

“Because the shelter is a safe house,” said Rutledge.

“Many people in the community are unaware of what we do. Our ongoing goal is to enlighten and educate our community on domestic violence and to spotlight our shelter and the role it plays in the community.”

The group welcomes the opportunity to speak to civic organizations, businesses and other community

groups.

Loretta Tacker, along with her husband John, who has since passed away, has hosted Soup Sunday for the organization at the Shake Shack for more than 15 years, supporting Families in Transition in their fight against domestic violence by providing a place for their annual Soup Sunday.

Shake Shack has also started a recent tradition of preparing the delicious home-made soups served at this event.

Families in Transition promotes human and civil rights, particularly the rights of individuals who have been victims of domestic violence. They provide free information in crisis intervention and encourage cooperation between social services agencies and civic organizations. The group provides transitional shelter and support services to victims of domestic violence, maintaining and expanding programs and projects to prevent domestic violence, and to compiles statistics related to domestic violence.

Seeking grants and other funding to further the transitional shelter and foster the prevention of domestic violence is an ongoing challenge for the organizations. Soup Sunday is one of their primary fundraisers.

Ticket cost for Soup Sunday is $8 in advance and $10 at the door, and includes soup or chili, cornbread, crackers, chips, cheese, a beverage, and a homemade dessert. For tickets or additional information, call (870) 7324077. Tickets are also available at Shake Shack or from any board member.

By Ralph Hardin