Marion Co., West Virginia, Soup Opera to celebrate 40th anniversary with open house Saturday

Soup Opera Executive Director Misty Tennant said that while she’s only been the director since 2019, she grew up as part of the nonprofit, either volunteering or being employed by the Soup Opera for 32 years.

Tennant said she’s seen firsthand the impact the Soup Opera has on a daily basis, with an average of more than 60 people currently eating a meal there each day.

“It definitely needs to be on the community to serve,” she said. “People don’t even need to be low-income. We’ll take anybody. We can feed everyone. We give out food, hygiene products and clothes to anyone who needs it in the community and surrounding area.”

Tennant said that in 2022 alone, 21,000 people took advantage of one or more of the Soup Opera’s services.

Through her decades of work with the Soup Opera, she said that what stands out the most is the community’s continued support of the nonprofit and its mission, something for which she couldn’t be more grateful.

“The community has stood behind us so long, and that’s what’s getting us through,” Tennant said. “It’s the community, our donors and the volunteers who come in every day to give up their time and prepare the food or work upstairs to give out clothing and hygiene products. They’re the ones who make it run.”

She said that because of the community’s support, Saturday’s open house is a small way that the nonprofit can give back and show its supporters how much their commitment is appreciated.

“If it wasn’t for them, I’m sure we would not still be here,” Tennant said. “All of our donations come from this community.”

The open house will feature live entertainment, guest speakers, food and networking opportunities.

Tennant encouraged those who have donated their money or time to the Soup Opera to attend the open house, and further extended an invitation to other community members to stop by the nonprofit soon to get involved, as well.

“We always need volunteers and donors,” she said. “They can call or come in any day through the week from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. They should come to check it out and see what we’re all about. The community needs them, and they can help us out every day.”

The Marion County Soup Opera is located at 425 Quincy St. in Fairmont and can be reached at 304-367-1098.