More Than a Meal: Celebrating Our Volunteers at the 2026 Open House
From left to right: Amy Scarpello – Senior Director, Rescue Share & Volunteer Engagement. Mykayla Kroeger – Director of Volunteer Engagement. Kara Behling – Volunteer Engagement Assistant.
There is a unique kind of magic that happens when the hairnets come off, the aprons are hung up, the deliveries are finished, and our La Soupe Community comes together to share a meal.
This April, in the heart of National Volunteer Month, we traded our ladles and keys for napkins and glasses and hosted our 2026 Volunteer Open House. It was an evening dedicated to the hands and hearts that make our mission possible: our volunteers.
A Night of Gratitude & Connection
The energy in the room was a testament to the Souper community we’ve built together. Our talented chefs prepared a stunning spread of sweet and savory delights, reminding us that while we spend our days feeding the community with dignity, it is equally important to nourish the souls of those who do the work.
Amy, our Senior Director of Rescue Share & Volunteer Engagement, kicked off the night with a heartfelt welcome. "Thank you for coming after hours to connect," she shared. "We see what you do every day, and tonight is about celebrating that dedication."
We were also thrilled to welcome back Emmy, our Chief Philanthropy Officer, from maternity leave (with a special shout-out to baby Audrey)! Emmy reminded us of the "institutional memory" our volunteers hold. With many of our volunteers having served longer than our current staff, their stories and continuity are the bedrock of La Soupe’s stability.
Welcome to Team La Soupe, Mykayla!
The Open House was a beautiful introduction for Mykayla, our new Director of Volunteer Engagement. Coming to us with a passion for community from the Cincinnati Arts Association, Mykayla is already diving in.
"The heart of La Soupe is our volunteers," Mykayla shared. "I’m excited to launch our 'Coffee, Tea, and Me' listening sessions to hear what inspires you and how we can grow together."
Mykayla with her kiddos.
By the Numbers: The Collective Impact
While we felt the impact in the room, the data from our recent slideshow tells a staggering story of service. Since September 2020, our in-house volunteers have contributed 31,554 hours.
Counting the Hours
To give your time is to give a piece of your life to your neighbors.
We are in awe of:
Julie Burwinkle - 306 hours
Janella Johnson - 297 hours
Ralph Isaacs - 280.5 hours
Theresa Gregg - 255 hours
Fraran Walsh - 236 hours
John Stringer - 221 hours
Rescue & Education Heroes
Our mission doesn't just stay in the kitchen.
Food Rescue: Our drivers completed 4,477 runs this year alone. Special thanks to Tricia Roger (270 runs) and Rob Rice (203 runs) for leading the charge!
Education: Our learning programs have been bolstered by 2,500 volunteer hours since 2020, thanks to dedicated educators like Beth Brichler, Nancy Farrell, and the whole team.
Your Voice Matters
Interested in joining the La Soupe family?
We want to work with you. Click here to learn how to volunteer!
Keep an eye out for:
"Coffee, Tea, and Me" listening sessions for Volunteers with Mykayla.
The formation of our new Volunteer Committee.
Upcoming National Volunteer Week surprises!
A Final Note of Thanks
As the evening wrapped up—and as many of you headed out with take-out boxes to ensure nothing went to waste—the sentiment was clear: Volunteers make our mission possible (and ours are special).
To all of our Volunteers: Whether you’ve been with us since the "Roundbottom" days or you’re joining us next week, thank you for feeding people with dignity and purpose. You’re making a difference.
