Hunger is a universal experience. We’ve all felt that twinge and heard the infamous rumble. What is not a universal experience is the ability to quiet that hunger by simply walking into the kitchen and opening the refrigerator door. That’s where La Soupe steps in – moving mountains (of surplus food) to address the hunger needs in our community. Each week, La Soupe rescues an average of 30,000 pounds of fresh food from area farms, grocery stores, manufacturers, and distributors. With the help of professionally trained chefs and dedicated volunteers, these ingredients are transformed into nutritious and tasty meals for thousands of kids and families in need.

Earlier this year, the team at La Soupe faced a major setback when they lost a crucial oven—an essential part of the infrastructure that enables them to feed so many.

“Demand for meals continues to rise in the community as more individuals and families are experiencing food insecurity and they rely on our services,” said Miranda Maszk, Chief Culinary and Operations Officer. “Being down an oven puts a significant amount of stress on our culinary team as we try to meet the community’s needs.”

La Soupe needed to act fast, but the purchase of a new industrial oven would punch an unexpected $70,000 hole into the budget. That’s when Melissa Marie, Donor Engagement Officer, reached out to GCF to learn about the process for an emergency grant request.

“We were blown away by GCF’s rapid jump to action, a true testament to the culture of community care that GCF has established in our region,” said Marie. “GCF donors swiftly responded to the need. Because of GCF’s efforts, La Soupe was able to make significant updates to its main “transform” line, which will be pivotal in helping us reach our goal of producing 1.8 million meals in fiscal year 2026.”

GCF worked with generous fundholders to quickly raise $66,980 and secured an additional $5,000 from outside GCF – bringing the total to $71,980.

During the fundraising process, the GCF team was moved by the heartfelt, personal stories donors shared about the life experiences that inspired them to contribute.

Fundholder Sharon Kutney shares:

“For me, food has always been about family. My mom was a wonderful cook, and I have fond memories of dinners around the kitchen table with my three sisters and parents. My fund at GCF was a gift from my parents, and I view it as a responsibility to honor the values they instilled in me. When I learned of La Soupe’s urgent need for an oven, I knew it was the kind of work I wanted to support.”

Stories like these underscore the importance of building deep connections throughout our community. When unexpected needs arise, it is these trusted relationships that enable GCF and our community partners to respond quickly and effectively, addressing challenges and creating opportunities that improve the quality of life in Greater Cincinnati. These efforts reflect a vision to create a region where everyone has a fair shot at a good life, filled with dignity, where hunger knows no home.