The Program Aims to Donate Soups to Hospitals, First Responders, and Others in the Local Las Vegas Community
Burnt Offerings, a local restaurant that specializes in Kosher cuisine, partnered with Israeli American Council (IAC) for Soups for Souls, an outreach program that aims to donate soups to hospitals, first responders, and others in need within the local community. Soups for Souls is a part of a larger program called IAC Care.
IAC Care is a grassroots network that fosters the culture of volunteerism by creating unique volunteer programs in collaboration with Jewish and non-Jewish individuals and organizations. Since the onset of the pandemic, over 1,000 adults and children have volunteered with IAC Care.
Ofra Etzion, IAC Regional Manager of Las Vegas
Ofra Etzion, the IAC Regional Manager of Las Vegas, started IAC Care alongside her colleagues 10 months ago with a mission to deliver kosher meals through the Las Vegas Valley for people in need. The program raised funds from sponsors through their outreach program. People donated various amounts between $5 to $1,000+ to fund the meals, which were then distributed to the community by different rabbis.
The organization reached out to Alexandra Emtsova, Owner and Operator of Burnt Offerings, to see if she would be interested in a partnership to further help this cause.
“We decided to provide kosher chicken soup, also known as Jewish Penicillin, which is really chicken soup for the soul,” said Etzion. “Matzo ball soup has healing powers, and soup is something that can warm up their hearts and souls during these times of uncertainty. Our goal is to cheer up people in the community with chicken soup during the winter and lift their spirits. These efforts are intended for community members that have COVID, as well as the elderly and nurses and doctors working long shifts.”
Etzion wanted to help as many people in the community as possible. “Every week we choose a different department in various hospitals, senior homes, holocaust survivors, Jewish family services, or groups of people with COVID who are stuck at home and in need of food,” said Etzion. “We have provided meals to over 80 holocaust survivors to date. Chicken soup for the soul. We include little notes of encouragement with every food donation provided.”
In the past two months, their coast-to-coast volunteer network has touched the hearts of more than 2,000 families, seniors, and people in need. Thanks to all the funds raised from generous donors, nearly 25,000 kosher meals have been donated to communities in need, holocaust survivors, and the elderly.
If you would like to donate to IAC and help fund the kosher meals, visit their website at iaccare.org or text WeCareIAC to 71777.
ABOUT BURNT OFFERINGS
An original, foodie-conscious concept owned and operated by Alexandra Emtsova, a 10-year luxury industry veteran and serial entrepreneur, Burnt Offerings offers the Las Vegas community a unique, fun & highly creative Kosher menu, designed to pique curiosity and satisfy the senses. With the use of highest quality ingredients, knowledge of the traditional, and the creativity to progress & evolve Kosher cuisine, Burnt Offerings aims to revive, rejuvenate, and re-imagine the possibilities of Kosher food, while infusing the fundamentals, and paying homage to the cuisine’s origins. To stay up to date on the latest news and offerings, follow Burnt Offerings on Instagram or like them on Facebook.