Portage Ontario has partnered with four local restaurants today to serve up some soup, raise awareness and raise some funds!

Ashley-Ann Maginnis, manager of development at Portage Ontario said today is National Chicken Soup for the Soul Day, and it’s a day that celebrates who you are and how you get there.

“We wanted to celebrate our youth here at Portage, the struggles that they are constantly faced with, every single day, from the time that they make the decision to take that next step and seek help with their substance dependency,” Maginnis said.

Maginnis said they have collaborated with The Brew House on the Grand, The Cellar Pub and Grill, The Breadalbane and the Gorge Country Kitchen.

All four restaurants will be selling chicken soup and a portion of the proceeds from all dine-in and take-out sales will go towards Portage, in Elora.

Maginnis said they often do fundraisers to help pay for certain things the government may not cover.

“Such as our aftercare, bursaries for youth, outings that develop leadership, and other aids that help us deliver a robust program that can help our young people emerge successfully,” she said.

Maginnis said she hopes today creates more awareness in the community.

“We have upwards of 30 per cent of our youth that come from Wellington County, and so it’s really important for us to let the community know that we are here, especially during COVID-19, our doors are open. Substance dependencies are something that our youth are faced with every single day, especially in Centre Wellington, and really right across Ontario,” she said.

Maginnis said she thinks it’s more important now than ever to be aware of the assistance that the non-profit organization is able to provide our youth in the community, those who are suffering from substance dependencies.

Ashley-Ann Maginnis, Manager of Development at Portage Ontario: