04 March 2010

(PHILADELPHIA, PA, March 4, 2010) – Liz Licey was unemployed when she learned through PA CareerLink that she could gain culinary skills through The Salvation Army’s Soup’s On! Project job training program. Licey was accepted into the program, and upon graduating was hired as kitchen supervisor for The Salvation Army Red Shield Family Residence in Philadelphia.

On March 3, at a benefit for the Soup’s On! Project, The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia presented the 2010 Salvation Army Eliza Shirley Women in Leadership Award to the Honorable Lynne Abraham, former District Attorney for the City of Philadelphia for her dedication to public service. Among her myriad accomplishments, Abraham was one of the first district attorneys to form a non-profit foundation operating in a district attorney’s office; she established Urban Genesis Inc. to promote community leadership and provide grants to fund projects to improve neighborhoods and help the needy.

“We are proud to honor Lynne Abraham with this  prestigious award,” said Lt. Colonel Marcella Carlson, associate divisional commander of The Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Division. “Her longstanding commitment to public service reflects our own commitment through Soup’s On! to investing in those most in need.”



Soup’s On! is a culinary arts job training and placement program of The Salvation Army that has helped unemployed and under-employed individuals secure careers in the food service and hospitality industries since 1999. From traditional cooking techniques to business management, the program provides willing individuals the experience and credentials to succeed in the culinary arts.

Soup’s On! graduates earn a ServeSafe Certificate and are employed at culinary establishments throughout Philadelphia. Currently, 385 students have graduated from the program and gone on to work in restaurants and kitchens throughout the city. Participants are referred from community agencies and Salvation Army programs – including corps community centers, homeless residential facilities and The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center. 

To sustain the program, Soup’s On! receives funding through the production and sale of soup products and catering services to restaurants, institutions, corporations and private parties. Soup's On! Catering not only insures that events will be professionally and tastefully executed, but is an opportunity for companies to support people who are changing their lives with hope for a brighter and more productive future.

All proceeds from the retro-inspired benefit will support funding of future Soup’s On! classes.

“I entered the program on unemployment, but knew my passion for cooking,” said Licey, who aspires to open her own catering service with a colleague from the Soup’s On! Project. “Now, I run my kitchen every day with the knowledge and skills learned at Soup’s On! It makes me feel good to provide food for those in need; even if only one person likes my food, I’m happy.”

Visit our online photo album to see even more pictures from this event.
For more information about The Salvation Army Soup‘s On! Program, or to download a copy of the catering menu, visit SalvationArmyPhiladelphia.org/SoupsOn.