Published on Tuesday, 13 December 2022 at 1:48:51 PM
Meet Lindsey Sesin, creator and coordinator of Soupy
Story and images by SERENA KIRBY
Nourishment comes in many forms and for 36-year-old Lindsey Sesin, it comes in the form of Soupy.
Every Tuesday afternoon Denmark’s RSL kitchen is taken over by Lindsey and her team of happy helpers who volunteer to run this popular community gathering.
“One of Soupy’s goals was to help eliminate food waste from local producers and from my fresh produce business, Denmark Homegrown,'' Lindsey says.
“It was also a way to help feed the homeless but everyone is welcome at Soupy; low income earners, lovers of community, seniors, singles, families and travellers are all invited. We also make soup packs for dropping off to people in need and donate soup to other volunteer groups.”
Californian-born Lindsey came to WA as a travelling winemaker and while it was wine that brought her here it’s now soup that’s convinced her to stay.
“My dad is Lebanese and my mum’s German and we were a small family of just two kids but we lived in a cul-de-sac with about 30 children in it. This created a huge extended family for me - a community, a tribe - and large groups of us would constantly be at each other’s houses sharing meals.”
Lindsey adds that she has a cultural love of food and cooking has always made her feel comfortable as sharing a meal breaks down barriers and brings people together. It feeds the body and feeds the soul.
“This community totally rocks my socks!” Lindsey says.
“Everyone at Soupy donates their time and a lot of food is donated by local producers and shops. If we need extra items I buy them with the $5 voluntary donation that people pay for their soup.”
Organising a regular volunteer-driven event takes time and lots of it. Lindsey spends around 15 hours every week coordinating rosters, communicating with her team of dedicated volunteers, sourcing ingredients, running the event and, of course, preparing soup.
Having served more than 4,500 bowls of soup since Soupy started 15 months ago, the event has undoubtedly achieved what it set out to do for the community and for Lindsey as well; she’s created a new tribe and new family to be part of.
“People often thank me but really it’s me who’s thankful to them. Without the people who come, without the helpers, the donors, the support of the CRC and the lovely folks at the RSL there would be no Soupy. What I get out of it is far more than I give. It’s not a business; it’s a sense of service and with that comes incredible nourishment.”
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