Visalia SOUP is a community-based crowdfunding dinner. Visalia SOUP is modeled after Detroit SOUP, which began as a way to promote community-based development through crowdfunding, creativity, collaboration, democracy, trust and fun. 

Our next event will be held on Wednesday, April 11 at ImagineU Interactive Children's Museum (210 N Tipton St, Visalia). Doors will open at 5:00 PM and the presentations will start at 5:30 PM. RSVP to info@visaliachamber.org.

How Does Visalia SOUP Work?

A recommended donation of $5 gets you entry into the event, soup, bread and a vote. You will hear from four presenters, who have four minutes to describe their idea to the group (no technology allowed), and will answer four questions from the audience.  At the event, attendees eat, talk, share resources, enjoy music and vote on the project they think is most deserving. At the end of the night, we count the ballots and the winner goes home with all of the money raised to carry out their project.

October 2017
Lety Chavez, with Hood Outreach Ministry was our winner. She visits homeless, youth, and the elderly in the Oval Park every week, providing them with hygiene items, snacks, food, socks, and prayer and connects them to resources to help them get off the streets. Thank you to our three other presenters: Kalifornia Kisses, Best Foot Forward, and Foster Youth Transition Success Initiative.

March 2017
Congratulations to our winner, Greg Morentin who won the pot of money to further his idea: Martial Arts for Kids with Autism and Special Needs! Also, thank you to our three other presenters, who had equally great and impactful ideas for the Visalia community: Every Second Counts, Cali Crave Vending and Imagine Rock School.