‘Soup-toberfest’

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Sarah Baron seemed to enjoy both the chili and the hand painted soup bowl in which it was served.

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This trio (from front) Alton Patterson, Andrea Parsons and Linka Chapman were happy to show off the beautifully hand painted bowls in which their chili was served.

Germany gets credit for turning beer into a month long "fest," as in Octoberfest. However, when it comes to chili, Mobility Opportunities Via Education (MOVE) International and Bakersfield Association for Retarded Citizens (BARC) introduced a new "fest," a "Soup-toberfest" on Oct. 30 at the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office in Bakersfield. Forget for the moment that chili was served and not soup. Clam chowder, along with chili, was on the original menu when the word Soup-toberfest was coined by event planners in September. Since they both are served in a bowl and chili kind of has the same consistency of thick soup, just consider it an exercise in semantics.

What Soup-toberfest offered was something new for downtown workers and residents looking to satisfy their lunch-time appetites and help severely disabled children and adults at the same time. More than 150 people decided to do just that, spending $12 to feast on a bowl of Sequoia Sandwich Company chili in collectible, ceramic bowls, hand-painted by BARC clients. The proceeds benefited BARC and MOVE, both of which are making it possible for children and adults with severe disabilities to gain independent movement.

Since it was a first-time event, there was a small glitch, some of the chili had not been pre-heated when it came time for serving. But the friendly, generous patrons seemed little deterred or disappointed by the extra wait. Comments afterwards indicated it was more about the hand-painted bowls and helping those being helped by MOVE and BARC than it was about the warmth of the chili.

One patron named Sarah wrote, "The chili was delicious, I love my bowl, I love what MOVE does, thank you!"

Inclement weather - gusty winds and blowing dust -forced what started as an outdoor affair in the superintendent’s "breezeway" inside to a conference room. That eliminated one of the planned fest festivities - the release of butterflies. The butterfly is a symbol of independent freedom and is incorporated in MOVE’s logo.

However, the other event, the acappella singing of "God Bless America" by two of BARC’s clients, Jackie Wells and Allison Shelton did not get wasted. Waving miniature American flags to the beat of the music, Wells and Shelton soon had the entire conference room joining in to help them finish the last verse of the song.

Sequoia Sandwich Company donated the chili and each lunch also included bread, drink and desert. Other sponsors who joined into to get the inaugural event off the ground were Color Me Mine, Insect Lore, Foster Youth Services Youth Mentors and the Kern County Superintendent of Schools.

Besides the cost of lunch, patrons also had the opportunity to bid on original, hand painted soup bowls and large platters created by BARC patrons and community supporters. One, hand-designed by famous recording artist Amy Grant, brought in more than $100, as did another original by local artist Nancy Merrick. Keeping with the theme, MOVE Founder Linda Bidabe hand painted a platter that featured butterflies and a gradient color scheme that mirrored the organization’s design. Also, joining in the paint-a-bowl for MOVE and BARC spirit were Superintendent of Schools Larry E. Reider and Associate Superintendent Christine Frazier.

The bowls were what motivated an attendee named Connie.

"My sister attends BARC, and I was delighted to locate the bowl she painted. I treasure it and have placed it in my china hutch for display," Connie said.

Painting the bowls had an unexpected result, according to MOVE Director of Development Sheila Shegos.

"BARC officials said their clients were so excited about getting a chance to paint the bowls that they didn’t really want to give them up, until it was explained what the money raised by selling their bowls could do for BARC and MOVE," Shegos said. "Then, they were honored to have their works sold. As a result, bowl painting has become a new, regular activity for BARC clients."

After the last chili had been ladled into the last hand painted bowl, MOVE Executive Director David Schreuder had a chance to sit down and verbalize the importance of the lunchtime affair.

"You have to realize that it wasn’t all that long ago that children and adults with the most severe disabilities were often given up on - the thinking was, ‘nothing more can be done,’" Schreuder said. "MOVE and BARC, using the MOVE curriculum, have proven that it is possible. It has given these citizens real hope that they can gain independent movement - that they can learn to sit, stand and walk and do things they never dreamed possible. That is why MOVE is now a force around the world because it has made it possible for this targeted population. And, yes, there will be an even better Soup-toberfest next year, so we can continue to make the dreams of those we serve possible."


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