About Us - Soup for Hope

Honoring Chef Odette Smith

Soup for Hope was created to honor the life and legacy of Chef Odette Smith — a mother, educator, mentor, and the heartbeat of countless kitchens across Pittsburgh.

Chef Odette was more than a culinary professional; she was a force of warmth and compassion who believed that food was a love language — something that could heal, comfort, and bring people together. For decades, she fed thousands, taught hundreds, and cared for everyone who sat at her table.

                    "When ovarian cancer entered her life in 2018, everything changed. The disease moved fast, the symptoms were subtle, and like so many women, she was diagnosed far too late."
                

Yet even through treatment, she remained who she always was: a woman who fed people, lifted spirits, and wrapped her community in warmth. Her belief that comfort is love became the heartbeat of our organization.

Soup for Hope continues Chef Odette's legacy by supporting women in treatment, advancing early-detection research, and delivering comfort when it matters most. We carry forward her spirit through every blanket delivered, every meal provided, and every life touched by our work.

Our Mission

Three pillars of purpose driving everything we do

Direct Patient Comfort

We deliver soft, high-quality blankets and comfort packages directly to women undergoing cancer treatment, providing tangible warmth and emotional support during their hardest moments.

Early Detection Advocacy

We support awareness campaigns, education initiatives, and AI-powered biomarker research aimed at detecting ovarian cancer earlier, when treatment is most effective.

Community Nourishment

We provide food support and essential resources to families facing cancer or food insecurity, ensuring no one has to choose between medical care and putting food on the table.

Our Core Values

The principles that guide our work

Compassion

We lead with empathy and understanding in every interaction

Dignity

Every person deserves respect, care, and to be seen

Community

Together we build support networks that transform lives

Innovation

We embrace new approaches to detection and care

Lauren Smith

Founder & Executive Director

Lauren Smith founded Soup for Hope to honor her mother, Chef Odette Smith, and to ensure that other families receive the support and early detection education that could save lives.

Drawing on her background in community organizing and healthcare advocacy, Lauren has built Soup for Hope into a comprehensive support system that blends direct patient care, cutting-edge research partnerships, and community-based programming.

Her vision is simple but powerful: No woman should face ovarian cancer alone, and no symptom should go unrecognized.

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Blankets Delivered

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Families Supported

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Our Story