The only thing warmer than the bowls of hot soup served to First United Methodist Church visitors next Wednesday will be the feelings they get for giving to a worthy cause.

The sisters of Dowagiac’s Xi Delta Mu will host the organization’s annual soup luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 15 at the church, located at 338 N. Lowe St. in Dowagiac. Meals cost $5, which includes the customer’s choice of chicken noodle, cheesy potato or beef barley soup, as well as vegetables, a roll and a desert baked by members of the Kappa Beta sorority.

Orders may either be enjoyed inside the church or ordered to-go. People who have a group order, or who are working at a Dowagiac business, may also arrange to have their orders delivered by calling (574) 256-8629; customers making group orders are asked to place them by Monday.

All proceeds from the lunch will go toward E. Root Fitch Camp, a children’s summer camp located off Cable Lake.

Members of Xi Delta Mu, a subchapter of the national Beta Sigma Phi sorority, have organized the luncheon for the past five years. The ladies took the reins of the event from members of the Dowagiac Master Chapter, the founders of the fundraiser, said Pat Franz, the head organizer of the event.

Around 13 members of the sorority volunteer to help cook and serve during the event, assisted by several Kappa Beta and Master
Chapter sisters.

“Just about everyone knows what they are doing at this point,” Franz said. “It goes smoothly because everyone pitches in.”

On top of the ladies volunteering inside the church, six of the members’ husbands also pitch in, delivering to-go orders to customers who cannot make it out in person to the luncheon.

“If it was not for them we could not offer delivery,” Franz said. “They take the orders wherever they need to go, and they always have a ball doing so.”

Around 80 people usually come out to enjoy their meal at the church, with many sticking around for several hours to chat with friends and neighbors. Another 200 people usually take their soup and extras for the road.

Last year, the sisters raised around $2,000 for Fitch Camp, which is open to children living in the Dowagiac Union Schools district for one dollar per day during the summer.

“We had some people make large donations too, which is why we were able to donate so much to Fitch Camp last year,” Franz said. “The soup only costs $5, but a lot of people will hand us a $10 bill and tell us to keep the change.”

In the event of severe weather, the luncheon will be the following day at the same time and location. Those who wish support Fitch Camp, but cannot attend, may mail a donation to the camp foundation, P.O. Box 114, Dowagiac, MI 49047.