Autumn’s vibrant orange hues are spilling into soup bowls across Gstaad, thanks to a meaningful campaign spearheaded by the Soroptimist Club Gstaad-Saanenland. This locally-driven initiative, now a cherished tradition, combines culinary delight with social good, as the club partners with local restaurants and hotels to offer pumpkin soup for a cause.

Starting this October, diners in the Saanenland and Zweisimmen regions will notice orange-coloured cardboard stands on tables in participating restaurants. These stands are a call to action, inviting patrons to contribute to the fight against violence toward women and children. Locals and visitors alike can support the club’s mission by purchasing a bowl of pumpkin soup, with proceeds going directly to the Thun women’s shelter.

The campaign encourages five francs or more per soup donation, which can be made through Twint, bank transfer, or directly at the restaurant. In addition to this partnership with local businesses, the Soroptimist members will be stepping into the kitchen to prepare pumpkin soup for sale at the Saanen market on December 6.

This initiative aligns with the club’s broader commitment to raising awareness about violence against women and children. It ties into the global ‘Orange Days’ campaign, which runs annually from November 25 – the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – to December 10, Human Rights Day. The club’s efforts are part of Soroptimist International’s global drive to illuminate buildings across Switzerland in orange, the campaign’s signature colour, drawing attention to the sobering statistic that nearly one in three women experiences physical or psychological violence in her lifetime.

Through these local efforts, the Soroptimist Club Gstaad-Saanenland combine community spirit and culinary passion to advocate for a vital cause. Whether enjoying a bowl of soup at a cosy local restaurant or purchasing it at the Saanen market, residents and visitors alike are invited to make a difference, one spoonful at a time.