Stone Soup event raises $40,000 for food bank

The atmosphere was festive and lively as people gathered on Saturday evening for the Weld Food Bank's fourth annual Stone Soup fundraiser.

"We're here to celebrate and to have fun," said John Galindo, president of the Food Bank board. "But the real reason is to alleviate hunger."

More than 170 guests took part in the benefit, raising more than $40,000 for the cause, said Melisa Esposti, resource development director for the food bank.

The food bank will use the funds raised to serve more than 40,000 people in Weld County this year. Weld Food Bank serves meals directly and participates with agencies across the county to make sure its residents are fed.

The idea behind the fundraiser came from the children's book "Stone Soup" by Ann McGovern. The tale is about a village coming together to make soup. Each villager brings something to contribute and they walk away with more than they started with.

"Everybody brings a little bit and we can feed many," Galindo said. Galindo added that there was much work to be done, but contributions of time and money made the food bank's goals possible.

The $125 per person ticket to the fundraiser included a three course dinner of salad, prime rib and dessert. The prime rib was donated by Swift & Co., one of the corporate sponsors for the evening.

Stone bowls, made by Greeley Central High School students, were sold to raise money. And a silent auction took place with bids rising into the hundreds of dollars.

Entertainment was provided by the Windsor Community Playhouse -- children reenacted the story of Stone Soup -- and music was provided by Kenny Cordova and the Olde Rock Band.