MATTAPOISETT — “Stone Soup” is an ancient folk tale where hungry villagers use small amounts of food to create a large bowl of soup that benefits the whole community, according to Mattapoisett Sustainability Partnership member Barbara Van Inwegen.

On Thursday, Feb. 29, a similar event will take place in Mattapoisett.

Along with the Mattapoisett Congregational Church’s “Just Peace” team, the Mattapoisett Sustainability Partnership will host a “Stone Soup” luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mattapoisett Congregational Church.

The Sustainability Partnership is collecting canned goods throughout February that will be used to make soups for the free luncheon.

“We want to focus on what people can do to reduce food waste in their own house,” said Van Inwegen. “We thought, people have lots of canned goods in their cupboards. Are they using them? Are they looking at the expiration dates?”

“We are looking to use this [event] as an educational opportunity to talk with people about sustainability,” said Mattapoisett Sustainability Partnership member Eileen Marum.

Information about “shopping smarter” and the proper way to store certain fruits and vegetables will be provided at the luncheon.

Any canned goods that are not used for the soup will be donated to Damien’s Pantry in Wareham.

The luncheon is a part of the Sustainability Partnership’s efforts to create awareness in Mattapoisett of environmental issues.

In April 2023, the partnership held a trash clean up around Mattapoisett. According to Marum, 800 pounds of trash were picked up in just one day. Another clean up is scheduled for April 20, 2024.

In August, the partnership will host its third annual recycled art show at Mattapoisett Library.

The Sustainability Partnership first started when the Mattapoisett Library received a grant and purchased books about climate change and other ecological issues, according to Van Inwegen.

Van Inwegen, Marum and Mattapoisett Library employee Pat Cole are three original members of the partnership.

“We are starting small in Mattapoisett,” said Marum. “Perhaps eventually we can get the Tri-Town involved and help people realize where they fit into the ecological system.”

The Mattapoisett Sustainability Partnership typically meets at 11 a.m. on the first Saturday of each month at the Mattapoisett Library.

“This is the only home we have,” said Marum. “If we are smart enough to put a man on the moon and bring them back, we should be able to decrease our carbon dioxide levels.”

“What you are doing matters…one person can make a difference” said Van Inwegen.

To register for the Stone Soup luncheon, visit www.tinyurl.com/m8sfud5r