Interact Club advisor Julianne Shawaryn (top row, left to right) and club members Ava CaseySuess, Alisha Srivastava, Ashley Kim, Erica Zhang, Bella DeVillava, Ruhi Abrol (bottom left to right), Kaitlyn Roberts, Alexis Kim and Neeka Vojdani will help feed the hungry at Philabundance.
The Interact Club at Moorestown High School (MHS) will host its 24th annual Soup for the Soul at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10 to benefit Philabundance, a nonprofit that addresses hunger and food insecurity.
“This will be our third year at the community house (Community House of Moorestown), so we’re hoping to have a nice turnout,” said junior club chair Kaitlyn Roberts. “It’ll be great to see everyone at the event.”
The fundraiser is expected to include live music, a silent auction, raffles, a balloon artist and a buffet-style meal with all-you-can-eat soup and bread donated by local restaurants. The club’s 2024 donation goal is $5,000, and for Roberts, the fundraiser is special.
“It allows us to give back not only to those around us but to those in Philadelphia, and to be able to give back is really important in Moorestown,” she explained. “We want to give back to those that may not have what we have here …”
The Interact Club is sponsored by Rotary International and is dedicated to serving the community. Members participate in fundraisers and volunteer activities throughout the year that include a blood drive and blanket making.
Freshman Everett CaseySuess joined the club because he likes the cause.
“I like how it’s through the school, so it’s easy to volunteer whenever you want,” he noted.
Roberts always likes to see residents come out and support a good cause, but she also enjoys being behind the scenes with her peers.
“My favorite memory is definitely being in the back,” she recalled. “I normally get my friends to come in … Being in the back with my friends, and we’re always laughing back there … It’s great. It’s wonderful to volunteer and do something but also be with your friends.”
Tickets for Soup for the Soul will be sold at the door or in advance and cost $10 for adults and $7 for seniors and children. A $10 takeout option will include a container of soup and two pieces of bread.
“It’s a little bittersweet because it’s an event that has happened,” Roberts said of her feelings after the fundraiser is over. “But you’re looking back at it and you’re like, ‘I’ve had fun. It was successful.’
“I’m glad we were able to do this,” so it’s a little bittersweet.”
Students interested in joining the high school’s biggest club – agree Roberts and CaseySuess – should go for it.
“If you’re able to try the events and be able to have the fun experiences that we have and (you’re) able to connect with people, (you’ll) really be persuaded into joining, because giving back, it has a sense of self-fulfillment, because you’re able to say, ‘I helped someone today,’ and the ability to do that is purposeful,” Roberts observed.
“It gives people a purpose.”
