Blooming for Good: How a Local Child has turned flowers into La Soupe Donations

On a corner in Fort Thomas, a little flower stand became a bright spot for neighbors each weekend. Josie Soltes, a youngster with a smile as adorable as the zinnias she sells, stood behind the stand most summer weekends, raising donations for La Soupe.

This story begins in the dirt: beginning each winter since 2022, Josie’s grandfather, Dennis, has planted hundreds of colorful zinnia seeds. As the months pass, Josie carefully prunes and tends to the flowers. 

“She enjoys seeing pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies dance among the blooms,” Garner Soltes, her father, said. 

Josie is ready for flower sales!

By mid-summer, it’s time for her to gather the blossoms and bring them to the roadside stand. 

Josie’s aunt and uncle built and gifted a play produce stand for Josie and her brother to use as a play kitchen, but when Josie saw her cousins selling lemonade, she wanted to sell something, too. 

She decided to sell flowers because it was more fun than lemonade, Garner said. For the Soltes family, who had recently moved to Fort Thomas, it was also a way to connect with their new community.

Soon, the little pay-what-you-can stand became more than just a place to sell flowers to neighbors. It became a way to share kindness and joy.

“In 2024, Josie had the idea to sell zinnias to our neighborhood,” Garner said, adding that his family wanted to use it as an opportunity to teach Josie about giving and generosity. The Soltes family paired the project with La Soupe’s mission that year.

“As a family, we have always cared about public health, nutrition, and food security,” Garner said. “La Soupe's innovative rescue and Transform model really resonated with us.”

Each zinnia sold helps raise awareness for food insecurity and supports the idea that everyone deserves access to quality, healthy meals.

“The flower stand has shown Josie that giving is really about sharing what you can, so everyone can thrive,” said her father.

For summer 2025, the Soltes family added a new twist: a “Sponsor a Bouquet” program. For those outside the Fort Thomas area: anyone who made a donation of $20 or more directly to La Soupe on our website would give the gift of a zinnia bouquet. From there, Josie and her family created a bouquet and delivered it to a local family who could use a little extra pop of color.

The response was overwhelming, Garner said.

“Neighbors have stopped by to ask questions, kids have joined in to help, and families have received surprise bouquets that brighten their days. Each donation not only provides a beautiful arrangement but also helps La Soupe continue its mission of feeding communities, reducing waste, and spreading kindness.”

For Josie, the stand is more than a summer project. It’s a lesson in generosity, a connection to her family’s love of gardening, and a way to see firsthand how small acts can bloom into something much bigger.