Motown Soup is Good for the Community

Sometimes all it takes is one good idea to inspire a vigorous campaign in favor of a good cause. In 2004, Dan Karlin was Director of Social Ministries at Trinity Lutheran Church in Utica and came up with one such idea. Karlin had a heart for those who were disadvantaged and thought that if a food product could be produced and sold at local craft shows and markets, perhaps the profits could go to help the homeless and hungry. Karlin decided soup mixes could be a popular item to sell and set about recruiting partners to make his idea a reality. What followed was nearly a year of experimenting in the kitchen, trying to find the right culinary combinations to create an instant meal in a package and Motown Soup was born.

Karlin was blessed with the support of his church, which provided the new organization a state-licensed kitchen to use, work space, storage areas, and volunteers. Other early partners included Detroit Rescue Mission and MCREST, a homeless shelter in Roseville. By the end of 2005, Motown Soup had been able to share $11,000 with community organizations that helped the homeless and hungry. "It all started with a man and an idea," says Bonnie Fielder, volunteer and Shipping Coordinator with Motown Soup.

Motown Soup is still based at Trinity Lutheran Church in Utica. The organization is 100 percent volunteer-driven and has no paid staff. In 2012, the organization secured 501(c)3 status as a non-profit. Motown Soup shares its profits with Michigan non-profits that are food banks, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, or free clinics. Even COVID-19 did not hamper the organization's work; for 2020 and 2021Motown Soup was able to give $160,000 back to organizations throughout the state, including locations as far away as Holland and St. Ignace. "During COVID we did very well. We put specials on the website and I was shipping every day," Fielder says. "It was awesome and we still gave back money. Even during a pandemic we were able to give back that kind of money."

Motown Soup produces dry soup and dip mixes along with dry mixes for baked goods such as breads and cookies. All contain dehydrated ingredients and 16 of the more than 20 variety of soups can be prepared vegetarian-style. Soup mixes require the addition of water and additional or optional ingredients such as milk, canned tomatoes, and cooked meat. Dip mixes require the addition of sour cream or mayonnaise and baked goods require a liquid, butter or oil, and sometimes an egg. The mixes are ideal for a novice cook, college student away from home, or elderly shut-in, and most can be completed in about 30 minutes.

Dry mix packets can be ordered separately or as a gift box or basket featuring several mixes. A build-a-box option allows you to choose the mixes you want. Products can be ordered online, at one of 15 locations featured on the organization's website and at Trinity Lutheran Church in Utica. Motown Soup also participates at local craft shows and partners with other groups such as scouts or churches for fundraising opportunities.

Donations are always welcome as well and are tax-deductible. To find out more about Motown Soup, how to order food products, or to schedule an appointment to shop in person at Trinity Lutheran Church, go to http://www.motownsoup.com or see their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/Motown-Soup.

Motown Soup products make great gifts. Your purchase goes to help the less fortunate; in fact, over the last 16 years, Motown Soup has given back $1,425,000 to non-profits charities in Michigan that help feed and house the hungry. "The bottom line is whatever money is left after all our expenses, all profits are donated. It's all given back," says Fielder. "If you're looking for a gift to give to somebody, Motown Soup is it."