Becky Matthews hopes cooler weather and a giving spirit will draw Rome residents to The Well on Oct. 20 to sample soups from across the city.

Matthews organized a Soup Off which — just like the popular chili cookoff — will pit cooks against each other in a competition to make the best soup in town, with all proceeds going to a non profit organization which funds shelter, food, education and other necessities for orphaned children in Uganda.

Funds from the competition will go to the Sponsorship of Orphans in Uganda Project — an organization founded by Berry College graduate Brin Enterkin in 2009 to provide basic necessities for orphaned children in the impoverished African nation of Uganda.

S.O.U.P has since established a school and clinic in Uganda and provides for hundreds of orphans’ basic needs such as food, shelter, medical care, education and clothing.

“About a year ago I was trying to decide what to do with my birthday money,” said 10-year-old Matthews. “I wanted to do something that had impact, but global impact. I knew about Brin’s organization and I emailed her. We decided I would be hosting the Soup Off. I’m excited to be doing something that can make a difference.”

The event will take place at The Well on Shorter Avenue (next to West Rome Baptist Church) and will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Anyone can enter the competition, either individually or by teams, and can make any soup they prefer. The competition entry fee is $25 and those competing are asked to prepare two or three batches of soup for the event. Any extra soup will be donated to the community kitchen and local homeless shelters after the event.

Matthews said she encouraged competitors to prepare soups at home and to bring them in large crock pots. She will provide tables and electric hookups for all teams. She also will provide sampling cups, spoons and drinks.

Members of the public are encouraged to show up, sample all the soups and vote for their favorite. Entry fee for the public is $3 at the door.

“So far we have several teams entered,” Matthews said. “I think we’ve got some potato soup, vegetable soup, chili and a few others. Teams can make any type of soup they’d like. We encourage creativity.”

Matthews, a member of First Baptist Church, said this is the perfect season for the event and it’s an honor for her to be able to impact a global cause — something she is very passionate about.

There is no deadline for teams to enter the event, but Matthews requests that teams or individuals email her at beckymatthews10@gmail.com so she can reserve a space.

“I’m really excited to see all the teams competing and to see the public come out and sample the soups and support such a great organization,” she said. “I’m honored to be a part of it.”