$50K In 50 Days- Someone Cares Soup Kitchen Holiday Campaign Feeds Orange County's Less Fortunate

Online, November 30, 2010 (Newswire.com) - As many sit at their holiday tables to feast and debate the merits of choosing ham over turkey, there is a sizeable group of people in Orange County whose cupboard, tables, and stomachs lie empty. Determined to help these less fortunate individuals, local business owner Corey Donaldson today announced the launch of the $50K in 50 days for the Someone Cares Soup Kitchen in Costa Mesa. "Someone Cares Soup Kitchen Ultimate Happy Hour Fundraiser," kick-off event will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 15 at Chateau Nightclub Lounge in Irvine.

"We are honored to be able to offer healthy meals and other much-needed services to the community," said Shannon Santos, executive director of the Someone Cares Soup Kitchen. "The '$50K in 50 Days' campaign will provide toys, basic essentials and a holiday meal to thousands of individuals right here in our own backyard-and also help the soup kitchen keep its doors open to the hundreds of guests served daily."

Currently, Someone Cares Soup Kitchen serves more than 450 guests per day, seven days per week. Meals are provided Monday through Friday from 1-4 p.m., and a pancake breakfast is served every Saturday and Sunday morning. Of those served, approximately 25 percent are families with school-aged children, 30 percent are homeless, 20 percent are working poor or unemployed, 15 percent are senior citizens and 10 percent are mentally or physically challenged.

In 2009, Donaldson and his taskforce successfully spearheaded a campaign to raise $40,000 in 40 days for Someone Cares Soup Kitchen's holiday programs. The campaign allowed Someone Cares Soup Kitchen to fill 450 backpacks with more than 14,000 items, host a holiday dinner for 1,200 and give away more than 3,000 new, unwrapped toys as well as support the soup kitchen's ongoing programs, including its tutoring center for at-risk kids.

To play your part in helping the less fortunate in Orange County, visit www.SomeoneCares50kin50days.com where you can learn more about the "$50K in 50 Days" campaign.