A free soup delivery program in Aspinwall has maintained operations, despite ongoing covid conditions.

The Aspinwall Neighbors soup program started more than a decade ago, connecting residents and others with fellow Aspinwall neighbors by providing a free quart of homemade soup each month, personally delivered to homes by volunteers.

Last month, volunteers delivered 30 quarts of soup to Aspinwall residents, a steady increase from year’s past, said Aspinwall Neighbors board member Karin Asher.

Delivery methods have been modified because of the pandemic.

“We are in the covid-version of the program. It’s our current solution to the pandemic,” Asher said.

Before the pandemic, said volunteer Jennifer Evashavik of Aspinwall, volunteers looked forward to socializing together at different homes and making the batches of soup and preparing them for delivery.

But covid changed that and now all of the soup is purchased from Luke & Mike’s Frontporch Grille in Aspinwall, where it is made by Chef Blakely Aluise.

If recipients don’t answer their doors, soup is left on the porch.

Evashavik, an Aspinwall resident who has volunteered since 2018, shared story about her most memorable soup recipient, an elderly woman who redecorated her Christmas tree with a Valentine’s theme and invited Evashavik inside to see it.

“Her tree was decorated with at least 30 vintage Valentine’s that she had received as a young girl in elementary school,” Evashavik said. “She kept them all of those years and brought them out every year on her tree. She was so grateful that Aspinwall Neighbors had her on their soup list, but even more grateful to have a visitor.”

The soups are delivered during the winter months and only Aspinwall residents are eligible to request and receive free soup. Recipients have included senior citizens, new mothers and people recovering from surgery.

“A lot of our requests are from folks who live alone and don’t have family close by,” Asher said.

Volunteers often add handwritten notes and freshly baked goods to their soup deliveries.

“We are hopeful to soon add fresh baked bread to deliveries,” Asher said.

Chad Gregorini State Farm of Aspinwall sponsors the free outreach, offering financial assistance.

Gregorini has supported nonprofit Aspinwall Neighbors for about a decade and described Aspinwall Neighbors as an “amazing” organization.

“They bring people together to help and as a sponsor I’m willing to help defer some of the costs,” Gregorini said. “And more importantly to assist. As a lead sponsor we provide the resources to make this happen.”

Luke & Mike’s Frontporch Grille serves as the official soup delivery partner. Aluise prepares homemade soups weekly for Luke & Mike’s.

“I feel lucky to be in a position to prepare the soups for Aspinwall Neighbors. It truly does take a village, and I love being a part of it,” Aluise said.

Aluise said upcoming soups are Beef Gnocchi, Rosemary Chicken with Orzo, Wedding and Sausage with Kale.

Luke and Mike’s co-owner Sheri Rice said the decision to partner with Aspinwall Neighbors was a natural fit for her eatery, especially since Luke & Mike’s has a thriving weekly soup delivery program already established in the Fox Chapel/Aspinwall area.

“It’s always important to help the community, especially during the colder months when it comes to food,” Rice said.

Aspinwall residents wishing to request free a monthly soup delivery, can visit aspinwallneighbors.org. Click on the Neighbors Helping Neighbors tab and go to the Soup Delivery drop down. Or email: soup@aspinwallneighbors.org.

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