SOUP

APPLY NOW!

We’re accepting SOUP applications for the 2024 year! Scroll down for the application.

Our SOUP dates are January 22 at the Hotel Fortney Lounge, March 6 at the Viroqua Food Co+op, May 14 at Second Nature at Reads Creek, and November TBD. We’re accepting general applications, and will inform applicants which date they will be presenting. If you are aware you will have conflicts, please make a note of that in your application and we’ll take that into account. Thank you for your participation!

WHAT IS SOUP?

Viroqua SOUP is a micro-granting, crowd-funding event celebrating and supporting creative projects in Viroqua. For a suggested donation of $5, attendees receive soup, bread, and a vote, and listen to four project pitches that can include anything from an art installation, to a community event, to a social cause. Each presenter has four minutes to share their idea and answer four questions from the audience. At the event, attendees eat, talk, share resources, enjoy music, and vote on the project they think will benefit the city the most. At the end of the night, the ballots are counted and the winner goes home with all of the money raised to carry out their project. The winner comes back to a future SOUP event to report his or her project’s progress.

OUR MISSION

The Viroqua SOUP’s mission is to promote community-based development through crowdfunding, creativity, collaboration, democracy, trust, and fun.

OUR GOALS

Empower residents to be creative and have a voice
Allow people to establish new relationships and networks
Promote action and change
Foster critical dialogue
Instill community pride
Provide a deeper understanding of democracy

READY TO APPLY? Click the button below to learn more and apply!

Submit Your Pitch!

Congratulations to our March SOUP winners: the Ridges & Rivers Book Festival

Ridges & Rivers Incorporated is a nonprofit dedicated to bringing an incredible celebration of books, the arts, and literacy to Viroqua, Wisconsin. After a successful debut event in 2023, the Ridges & Rivers Book Festival will return to Viroqua April 26-27, 2024.

The 2024 festival boasts an extensive activity calendar, with new events being added weekly. Most events are free of charge, with the exception of a select few ticketed events at the Temple Theatre and various writing workshops.

Please visit the festival website for the complete schedule of events at www.ridgesandriversbookfestival.org

The festival also brings awareness to the importance of literacy and arts. The City of Viroqua is the smallest town in the United States that hosts a Book Festival.

Congratulations and heartfelt thank you’s to all the organizations who pitched in March. Thank you to the 3rd Annual Viroqua Shakespeare Festival and Family Square Dance for the excellent work you’re doing in the community, as well as the Viroqua Bathhouse Welcome Center for your informative presentation.

Congratulations to our January SOUP winners: the Amara Rose Foundation.

The Amara Rose Foundation works in the greater Vernon County area to raise awareness of the dangers of Fentanyl. After the tragic loss of Amara Rose to fentanyl in 2022, her family and community came together to help raise awareness and prevent other families from suffering this loss.

With the rise of fentanyl-related deaths not just here but throughout the U.S., the Amara Rose Foundation is a vital force in combating the epidemic. Through educating, raising awareness, and offering resources and emotional support to those who reach out to them, they are determined to save lives.

They are holding their Second Annual Chili Challenge, on Saturday, March 2, at the Viroqua Eagles Club. 1:00-4:00.

The January 22nd SOUP event raised $650 for the foundation, which will use the funds to increase awareness and resources available to combat the fentanyl epidemic.

Members of the Amara Rose Foundation are available for presentations on the topic, please visit their website to learn more.

Congratulations and heartfelt thank you’s to all the organizations who pitched in January. Thank you Little RAE of Hope’s Rise & Shine Hot Air Balloon Rally the Healing Hearts Care Choir, and the project Swings for Adults with Disabilities!