Hundreds of Ottawans set to welcome Syrians with 5000 servings of soup – the universal comfort food

Soup Sisters, a national non-profit, is delighted to team up with ** The Women’s Network at Global Affairs Canada ** , in conjunction with the ** Retired Heads of Mission Association ** and the ** ** ** Ottawa Diplomatic Association ** for a very special community event to support the Syrian refugee community in Canada’s Capital Region.

Media are invited to come to ** La Cité collegiale ** , 801 Aviation Parkway, at **

11:15 am

on Saturday, April 9 ** when Soup Sisters will host the first of a two-day “Soup for Syrians”soup-making blitz. Sharon Hapton, the founder of Soup Sisters, and Angela Bogdan, Canada’s Chief of Protocol and Champion for Women at Global Affairs Canada, will be available for interviews. In addition, scores of participants, including members of the Syrian community and a translator, will be busy making soup and photos/videos of the kitchen activity will be possible at this time.

There is still limited registration space available for both

April 9 and 16

. Anyone over the age of 12 is invited to participate for a modest fee of $25; sign up at http://www.soupsisters.org/soupref.php The Ottawa soup-a-thon is taking place at La Cité thanks to the generous support and assistance of Chef Wayne Murphy, professor and co-ordinator of the college’s culinary arts program. The soup will be distributed with the help of local agencies to Syrian refugees who now call Ottawa home.

“After the success of several Soup for Syrians Soup-a-thons in Calgary and Lethbridge, I am honoured to be able to work with the many people in Ottawa who have embraced this unique opportunity,” says Sharon Hapton. “Soup Sisters was built on the premise that making homemade soup is a joyful, meaningful activity and providing it for those in need is a wonderful way to show comfort, compassion and community. I am so glad we can provide ‘hugs in a bowl’ for Ottawa’s new Syrian families.”

“This event provides a great opportunity to gather family and friends together to do something tangible for these newly-arrived neighbours,” affirms Angela Bogdan. “This simple and personal gesture is a meaningful extension of the efforts of Canada and Canadians to welcome Syrian refugees to our communities – a proud part of Canada’s humanitarian tradition.”