When Yolo County Supervisor Don Saylor first approached me about designating Davis Media Access (DMA) as the beneficiary of the final Soup’s On fundraiser before he retires, I was gobsmacked. I’d volunteered at many Soup’s On events in the past and often wondered, what would we need to do be at that level?

If there is a gift from the pandemic for DMA, I believe it’s that we were the right organization with the right set of skills at the right time. During this crisis, DMA worked overtime to connect our communities virtually when we couldn’t do so in person.

Since 2004, there have been 17 Soup's On gatherings, over 6,000 soup eaters, hundreds of sponsors and donors, plus immeasurable awareness and more than $400,000 raised for local nonprofits. It’s been an amazing gift to nonprofits and the community at large.

After all was tallied, the April 21 event raised $62,000 for our community-based media and technology center. This money will help us bridge the gap brought about by increased staffing needs and operational/technology costs during the pandemic, coupled with loss of event income and other opportunities. We are most grateful.

Supervisor Saylor said, “DMA has done so much to amplify local voices, share information, and connect the people of our community for many years. Over the last two-plus years of pandemic-living, DMA has helped us all to pivot our communication models, stay informed, and learn new ways of doing things.

The magic of Don Saylor's Soup's On could not happen (for 17 years!) without the generosity of our community demonstrating the "Yolo Way".  Do you (or a local business) have an auction item to donate? If so, link here now by April 11.  Do you have a couple of hours you'd like to donate while listening to the upbeat live music by MUMBO GUMBO, enjoying delicious soup, and being a part of a meaningful community event?

Don Saylor’s Soup’s On event has been a community mainstay since 2004, an annual fundraiser that has generated over $350,000 in critical support for nonprofits throughout Yolo County. After a pandemic hiatus, the event returns Thursday, April 21 from 6-8 pm at the Veterans Memorial Center in Davis.

All proceeds from this year’s event benefit Davis Media Access (DMA), a nonprofit community media and technology center based in Davis, with partnerships countywide. During the pandemic, DMA reinvented a hands-on, participatory organization into one who helped organizations throughout the county surmount the challenges of virtual events and technology.

This event will be the final Soup’s On, as Saylor is retiring from public service when his term as Yolo County Supervisor for District 2 ends on December 31, 2022. “The Soup’s On benefit event was built on the simple human experience of sharing warm soup when someone is sick, feeling down or in need. Building on that loving impulse, together we have created a tradition of gathering over soup to help the helpers – nonprofits that do so much to tend the fabric of our community,” Saylor said. “Since the first Soup’s On in 2004, this event has raised over $350,000 and increased community awareness for many worthy causes in Yolo County.”

Saylor said he chose DMA as the final recipient because “DMA is a go-to partner when the Yolo community comes together to address a cause. DMA became a key resource for public health updates and local voices throughout the pandemic. They produced local election coverage on all contested races in Yolo County. They helped Woodland Community College bring its TV station and instructional media program online, and they provided support for local schools, nonprofits, and businesses across the county. As an organization, they are a perfect demonstration of the Yolo Way, proving that we are far better when we work together.”

Tim Gaffaney hosts Davis Poet Laureate Julia B. Levine. She read two of her poems and talked about the context in which they were written. She discussed how she came to writing poetry, how she has enjoyed her role at the poet laureate and her plans for Davis, including a contest.

For more info: sites.google.com/view/juliablevine

Recorded: 1/17/22