Why Soup?

Soup, the universal comfort food, transcends borders and cultures. It's warmth, nourishment, and deep ties to culture and memory make it a shared experience globally.  Whether Chicken Noodle in Calgary, Lentil Dal in Mumbai, Minestrone in Italy, Borsht in Ukraine, or Pho in Hanoi, the feeling is the same. It's a warm, comforting, familiar embrace, a symbol of love in a bowl we all share.

So, why soup? Because soup is more than food—it's how we show up for one another. It's the quiet care of a parent soothing a sick child, the generosity of a neighbour delivering a pot to a grieving friend, and the culture passed down through a simmering recipe. Soup is a comfort that crosses borders, beliefs, and generations.

Here's why soup resonates so deeply: 

• Warmth & Nourishment: The heat soothes and provides a sense of security, while the ingredients offer nourishment. 

• Easy to Digest: Gentle on the stomach, making it perfect for those sick or in need of comfort. 

• Made with Love: Often homemade, soup carries a sense of care and connection, reminding us of family and tradition. 

• Versatile & Affordable: Made from simple ingredients, it can be adapted to any culture, diet, or budget. 

Nourishing soup is more than just a meal- it's healing in a bowl. It's the profound impact of soup and why Soup Sisters was born. 

Back in 2009, Sharon Hapton, a Calgary businesswoman and mother of two, asked herself a simple but powerful question: What if a single bowl of homemade soup could change someone's day—or even their life? 

For Sharon, soup had always been a personal gesture of love. If someone in her life needed help, she didn't ask—she just showed up with soup. That instinct, that cycle of giving, of nourishing and being nourished in return, became the foundation of Soup Sisters.

"I knew this simple gesture had the power to change someone’s day," Sharon says. "The soup-making, the visit, and the comfort created a fulfilling cycle of giving. I didn't need to look beyond my truest self to find what the world needed. After all, I am, and always have been, a soup-maker."

And now? Thanks to Sharon's vision and the generosity of donors and businesses nationwide, this grassroots organization has delivered over 4 million Hugs in a Bowl to women, children, youth, and families in crisis across Canada.

But here's the truth: Food insecurity is growing. Shelters are full. Schools are seeing the impact of hunger in the classroom. Families are making impossible choices. Agencies are overwhelmed.

So why soup? Because when life feels heavy, soup is easy to carry. When people are hurting, soup says what we often can't. We believe everyone deserves that comfort. Everyone deserves a Hug in a Bowl.

Soup is one of the most nutritious and accessible meals, especially for those who are sick or in need. Here’s why it’s such a powerful source of nourishment:

🍲SOUP IS FORGIVING & SOUP IS FOR GIVING – The broth helps keep the body hydrated, especially important for those who are ill or struggling with food access. Ingredients like salt, vegetables, and proteins restore essential minerals.

🍲 Easy to Eat & Digest – Soft ingredients and warm liquid make soup gentle on the stomach, ideal for people recovering from illness or those with limited access to solid foods.

🍲 COMFORT & MENTAL WELL-BEING– Beyond- physical health, a warm bowl of soup provides emotional comfort, reducing stress and fostering a sense of care and community. Scientist have found that chicken soup can cure what ails you, just like your mother told you.

🍲 SOUP IS SOUPER AFFORDABLE –Making a warm, healthy soup doesn't require a big investment. All you need are some fresh vegetables and broth. You can buy broth or make your own from a leftover carcass or bones. And you can throw leftovers into the soup if you have some on hand—anything from pasta and vegetables to roasted chicken. Kitchen Sink Chicken Soup by Jann Arden Page 152 in the Soup Sisters Family Cookbook is a perfect example of cleverly using what you already have.

🍲SOUP TASTES GREAT - SOUP IS THE UNIVERSAL COMFORT FOOD – Beyond physical health, a warm bowl of soup provides emotional comfort, reducing stress and fostering a sense of care and community.