A simple bowl of soup is being used to bring people together and raise funds for community support across the Limestone Coast this August. ac.care has launched the Simple Soup, Big Impact campaign, inviting businesses, schools, sporting clubs, community organisations and individuals to host their own soup lunch, dinner or gathering.

The campaign was reported by The SE Voice on 13 August 2026 and includes the Mount Gambier community among the Limestone Coast areas being encouraged to participate. Funds raised will support ac.care’s work with people, families and communities across the Limestone Coast, Murraylands and Riverland.

The concept behind the fundraiser is deliberately simple. Participants do not need to organise a large event or spend a significant amount of money. Instead, they can invite colleagues, friends, family members or community groups to share a meal and use the gathering as an opportunity to raise funds.

ac.care fundraising manager Cathy Beckman said shared meals can create opportunities for connection and conversation while also helping strengthen community support. The organisation is encouraging people from different parts of the community to participate, whether through a workplace lunch, a gathering with friends or a larger community event.

For Mount Gambier, the initiative provides a local opportunity for residents and businesses to contribute to a wider regional cause. One local business already supporting the campaign is Ray White Mount Gambier, Robe and Penola. Principal Tahlia Gabrielli encouraged community members to take part and said the business was proud to contribute to the initiative.

The campaign also aims to make fundraising accessible to people who may have little experience organising charity events. Registered hosts receive access to free resources, including a host guide, invitation templates, social-media materials, fundraising resources and recipe ideas. These resources are intended to make organising a soup gathering easier for individuals, workplaces and community organisations.

Participants can choose their own date during August and invite people to attend their event. They can also create a personalised fundraising page, allowing their gathering to become part of the broader campaign.

The initiative highlights how small community activities can contribute to larger social outcomes. Instead of requiring participants to organise a complicated event, the campaign focuses on something familiar and inexpensive: sharing food with other people. The organisers hope these gatherings will create both financial support and stronger connections between community members.

The Limestone Coast has a large network of community organisations, sporting clubs, schools and businesses, giving the campaign multiple potential avenues for participation. Mount Gambier residents can participate individually or through workplaces, clubs and community groups.

Registrations for Simple Soup, Big Impact are currently open, with organisers providing resources to help hosts plan their gatherings throughout August.

The campaign represents a new community-focused fundraising opportunity for Mount Gambier and the wider Limestone Coast. By turning an ordinary shared meal into a fundraising event, ac.care is encouraging people to connect with one another while supporting its work with regional communities.