Church Kitchen Raises $2M for Charity Through Soup Sales

Motown Soup, a volunteer-run charity based in the basement of Trinity Lutheran Church in Utica, Michigan, has contributed over $2 million to Macomb County charities over its 20-year history. Founded in 2004 by Dan Karlin, the initiative began with the simple idea of creating and selling chicken noodle soup mixes to raise funds for food pantries, homeless shelters, and other local causes. Using the church’s state-licensed kitchen, Karlin expanded the offerings to include over 60 products, including soups, dips, chili, and baked goods. These are sold individually or in gift boxes, with proceeds supporting nearly 50 charities. Popular items include the “Taste of Michigan” gift box and the best-selling chicken pot pie soup mix.

Motown Soup relies on over 100 volunteers for everything from recipe creation to packaging, ensuring high-quality products that benefit the community. In addition to online and event sales, the charity collaborates with corporations for fundraising and volunteer efforts.

Despite his passing last year, Karlin’s legacy of service and innovation continues to thrive. Volunteers like Zak Kennedy, president of Motown Soup, are dedicated to carrying forward Karlin’s mission to fight hunger and homelessness in Michigan.

What Churches Can Learn From Motown Soup:

Churches interested in similar outreach initiatives, using their kitchen, can draw inspiration from Motown Soup’s model:

• Utilize existing facilities creatively, such as state-licensed kitchens.
• Engage volunteers to foster community and shared purpose.
• Start small with a core product, then expand based on demand.
• Partner with other organizations to amplify impact.
• Leverage online sales and community events for broader reach.

For more details, refer to the original article on The Macomb Daily.