Vernon's Cornerstone Foundation Exceeds Soupfest Fundraising Goal

VERNON, CT — The Cornerstone Foundation has surpassed its monetary goal for Soupfest 2019, its signature fundraiser. The event was staged in November.

This year, the total raised was amazing $30,004. The goal for 2019 was $25,000, which organizers said was a "stretch goal" compared to the $20,452 raised in 2018.

"We are very grateful to the community who participated in Soupfest to support Cornerstone so generously," event chairman Thomas Stauffer said.

Nearly 95 percent of the total amount from Soupfest goes directly to programming needs of Cornerstone.

It takes about $40,000 a month to operate all of the Cornerstone programs, Stauffer said.

The Cornerstone Foundation is a non-profit organization based in the Rockville section of Vernon.

The Foundation was started in 1982 by Helen Syriac, a local resident and parishioner at Sacred Heart Church in Vernon.

Cornerstone is a non-profit ecumenical outreach program serving Vernon and the surrounding communities. Its Soup Kitchen is located at 15 Prospect Street in Rockville and serves three meals a day on weekdays and two meals each weekend day.

The Cornerstone overnight shelter is located at 1 Prospect Street and has 15 beds for men and women.

Clairvaux House, owned by St. Bernard Church and operated by Cornerstone is located on School Street, and is for homeless mothers with children.

The Youth Center and Outreach Program is located at 3 Prospect Street and provides a safe place for middle and high school aged youth. Trained staff members supervise the activities and a number of workshops are offered during the year.

The Clothing Bank, Etc. is located at 3 Prospect St, in back and provides clothing, toys, housewares and books. Furniture is also available for special needs. It features a Christmas corner and several events are hosted throughout the year.

The Food Cupboard is located at 3 Prospect Street in back and provides food assistance to those needing some extra help who meet the federal guidelines for food assistance.