Oilers Ladies mix ingredients & share smiles as the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation comes together to create over 200 servings of soup for WIN House. RELATED ITEMS Soup Sisters Photo Gallery

On a brisk fall evening, a group of Oilers Ladies and members of the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation came together with Soup Sisters to create 200 servings of soup. Donated to Edmonton Women’s Shelter Ltd (WIN House), the individual soup servings will help warm the spirits and nourish the bodies of women and children who have been through hardships in their lives.

Founded in Calgary in March 2009, Soup Sisters has since spurred 15 chapters in cities between Victoria and Ottawa. The Soup Sisters model offers groups an opportunity to share an evening of good food and friendships all while supporting local women’s shelters.

The Edmonton Soup Sister movement was launched in April 2011 and has been wildly successful during its inaugural six-months; groups book nearly a year in advance for the chance to participate in Soup Sisters monthly events which are held at Sunterra Market.

It was at the Edmonton Soup Sisters’ first event on April 14, 2011 that Denise Tambellini, wife of Oilers GM Steve Tambellini, thought participating in a soup-making event would be a perfect fit for the Oilers Ladies.

“A friend of mine had volunteered to be a helper at the opening of Soup Sisters,” said Denise. “Once we came here, made soup, had fun and met lots of people we thought it would be a great opportunity for our Oilers wives.”

Soup Sisters is based on a simple sentiment: soup is comforting. Carol Knott, Coordinator for Soup Sisters and Broth Brothers in Edmonton, has been working with the non-profit organization since its inception in Edmonton and believes whole-heartedly in the cause.

“The women and children at WIN House have often been through trauma and need to eat but can’t sit down for a lengthy meal,” notes Carol. “Sometimes a comforting bowl of soup is all they want.”

The soup made through Soup Sisters goes to support all three WIN House shelters in Edmonton. After spending the evening in a cooler, the soup goes directly to WIN House the morning after and is ready to be enjoyed by those who need it most.

Soup Sisters’ partner non-profit organization, Broth Brothers, was founded this year and prepares soup which goes to the youth emergency shelter, supporting youth in transition.

To learn more about the Soup Sisters initiative or to volunteer visit www.soupsisters.org.