Families Gather at the Desiderio Community Stone Soup Dinner

The Second Annual Stone Soup Dinner Hosted by Desiderio Homeowners, Macha and Melissa

 

This Thanksgiving, Desiderio homeowners, Macha and Melissa, gathered all nine families to host the second annual Stone Soup Dinner on the front lawns of their San Gabriel Valley Habitat homes. 

The event was inspired by the children’s book, Stone Soup, written by Marcia Brown. The story of Stone Soup is a popular European folktale where three hungry soldiers seek food and shelter from a small village. The people of the village are experiencing hard times and they were afraid to share anything from their cupboards. 

Upon discovering that they weren’t going to be offered any food or shelter, the soldiers declared they will be making “stone soup.” The soldiers ask if anyone has a pot to cook it in and slowly the villagers muster up the courage to share a pot, water, and fire to heat it. The soldiers recruit everyone to add stones to the pot and little by little the stones were added. Eventually the people begin to run to their cupboards to add other ingredients they had such as salt, pepper, carrots, cabbage, beef, and more. What had started out as a merely stones had transformed into a “rich person’s soup.” 

“When each member of our community contributes to the making of this soup, it becomes a tangible way to celebrate our differences and the struggles and joys that unify us…together at one table, from one pot, one spoonful at a time,” said Melissa. 

This story inspired Macha and Melissa to create the Desiderio community’s Stone Soup Dinner. For the last couple of weeks before Thanksgiving, the families of the Desiderio community dropped off various ingredients on Macha and Melissa’s doorstep.  

At the end of the week, it was all thrown together to make a unique and delicious pot of soup with stones included!  

The soup included potatoes, pearl onions, carrots, celery, chicken, garlic, and miso – all unique ingredients the nine families contributed to making their very own “Stone Soup!” 

“The soup is a tradition that has so many layers of meaning. It came about as a way to stay connected during the height of the pandemic. It’s a reminder that we are not alone, that we don’t need to fear scarcity, and that our uniquely diverse community can create something truly remarkable when we realize the potential in every small act,” said Macha. 

The Desiderio homeowners take on Stone Soup illustrates how Habitat ties families together to create a community. You can help create more memories like Stone Soup Dinner for San Gabriel Valley families. Join our Expanding the American Dream campaign (Three Years. 100 families. Unlimited Dreams.)

Macha and his family say “thank you!”

 

Hello Friends,

2020 has been a year of uncertainty and hardships. Every single one of us has felt the impacts of COVID-19 and is trying to adapt to a new normal as the pandemic continues to threaten our communities.

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, I ask that you pause to take a moment to reflect on what you have to be thankful for this year. Perhaps what comes to mind is that you are grateful to have a comfortable and secure place to live where you are able to stay “safer at home” and “shelter in place” when such an unprecedented event like COVID-19 occurs.

For families like Macha’s, who have already partnered with us to build and buy their own homes, owning a Habitat home has offered great peace of mind in such an uncertain time…

On this Thanksgiving, Macha’s daughter Maika and son Ren will have the room they need to play and limit their exposure to others.

“Owning a home in these uncertain times has provided stability for our children. Within the walls of our home, our children experience safety. This is a gift beyond measure.”

“We are thankful to have the space for our kids to play in, especially in the yard. I can’t imagine what it might be like for families living in overcrowded apartments with no outdoor space during the lockdown.”

Because of your support, our Habitat partner families have something to be grateful for this year…a permanent place to call home during these challenging times, and always.

Sadly, there are still thousands of local low-income families in the San Gabriel Valley region without a decent place to live. As jobs are lost, hours are cut and the economy slows, low-income families are hit the hardest. They always are. These families are going to need our hand up now more than ever. And now more than ever, we need your support.

This Thanksgiving season, please consider making a generous gift to SGV Habitat to help empower more families through affordable homeownership. Every gift – any amount – makes a difference!

Gratefully,

Mark Van Lue
Executive Director

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Donate now to help more families like Macha’s this Thanksgiving season!

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