El Gato working to thaw 'Deep Freeze' woes

PRESCOTT - Roger and Elaine Murray enjoyed soup on the patio at El Gato Azul Sunday and also helped the less fortunate.

Sunday is normally soup day at the restaurant, but owner Barry Barbe decided to make a $2 donation to "Operation Deep Freeze," which provides emergency winter shelter for the homeless, for every bowl of soup sold.

"It's a great project, and they lost their funding," Barbe said. He pointed out that a $10,000 grant was available to the organization if matching funds could be raised, so "every $2 they spend is actually $4."

Barbe also is holding raffles for items until the end of the month. One prize is soup for a year, a $624 value, for a $10 raffle ticket.

"It's cold out already," which is good soup weather, he said, with a laugh.