Final Four to Present at April 15 Crowdfunding Competition

The World’s Borough will kick off Earth Week by promoting community resilience and supporting creative local improvement projects on Sunday, April 15, 3-7pm at the Quaker Meetinghouse, located at 137-16 Northern Boulevard in Flushing, Queens. The Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce announced the four finalists for the 3rd annual Queens SOUP crowd-funded micro-granting competition, which will feature a potluck dinner, workshops, fun activities and presentations by civic groups and environmentalists.

“SOUP is a community potluck dinner, originating in Detroit, that provides seed funding and promotional opportunities to help launch local projects bringing positive impacts to their community. SOUP events have taken place all over the country -- increasing innovative, grassroots economic development and civic engagement,” stated Cody Herrmann, project coordinator at the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber has raised nearly $2,000 for Queens-based projects through annual Queens SOUP dinners since 2016.”

How does SOUP work? For a $5 donation, attendees gain access to a potluck dinner where they eat, learn, and vote for one of four projects they think will have the biggest positive impact on their community. Each of the four project teams is given 5 minutes to pitch their ideas without the use of digital media, often making for engaging presentations. At the end of SOUP, ballots are counted and the money collected at the door (plus additional money from outside sponsors) is awarded to the project with the most votes. SOUP acts as an unique networking event, connecting projects with potential community partners and volunteers regardless of whether or not they win the cash prize.

In spirit of Earth Week, local nonprofits and community groups will be onsite prior to the SOUP dinner from 3 - 5PM leading informative workshops and activities for kids and adults. Featuring presentations by Green Earth Urban Gardens, aromatherapy demonstrations by GUTsier Living, live animal activities with Alley Pond Environmental Center, a photobooth and sign making activity with Eastern Queens Greenway, presentations by Partnerships for Parks, hands-on demonstrations with TinkerLab at Lewis H. Latimer House Museum, and hula hoop workshops with Wild Hoops Entertainment.

“Queens SOUP is a great grassroots movement that fosters a creative dialogue across diverse groups engaging a whole new generation in paying it forward.” says Maureen Regan, president and founder of Green Earth Urban Gardens. “It’s all about Ordinary people making a difference with community support.”

After an online public application process, open November 2017 through March 2018, the following four projects have been chosen to present at the Queens SOUP community dinner from 5-7pm, Sunday, April 15, 2018:

• The Fancy Find: It Takes a Village will host 2 community-style baby showers per year for expecting moms in Queens, NY, partnering with established organizations and small businesses to provide essential products that will carry a baby through their first three months.

• Together We Can Community Resource Center Inc.: Youth Building Community: A Community Youth Group will create a monthly youth group where youth, ages 13 and up, come together at a neutral and consistent location in Jackson Heights to meet and bond with other youth focused on volunteering in the community and creating a community walk.

• J. Expressions: J. Expressions' Book Boutique and Poetic Film Showcase -- J. Expressions is a Southeast Queens-based project dedicated to promoting and cultivating the literary community in the area through DIY workshops, film screenings inspired or based on poetry with special guests, and more.

• Queens Action Council: Queens Food Co-Op Research Plan addresses the inequity and systemic racism that has deprived NYCHA Astoria residents of access to locally sourced, fresh and affordable foods from a community-centric grocer.

Tickets for Queens SOUP can be purchased at the door or online at queenssoup2018.eventbrite.com.

Queens SOUP 2018 is sponsored by Flushing Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Green Earth Urban Gardens Inc., Regen Acupuncture PC, Politan Real Estate, Alfred Rankins and Concerned African-Americans of Flushing. The Chamber is still looking for additional sponsors for in-kind donations of food, beverages, supplies, and raffle items as well as financial support for this and future SOUPs. Please contact cody@flushingchamber.nyc with question regarding sponsorship opportunities.

For more information:

Website: flushingchamber.nyc/soup
Facebook: facebook.com/events/213313445880818
Eventbrite: queenssoup2018.eventbrite.com
Photos: goo.gl/3afnNr