The Stone Soup House began when Greg Saccamono, a local home builder, thought up the idea of building a house and donating it to NeighborWorks of Pueblo, Colorado. The proceeds from the sale of the house would support the organization’s Affordable Housing Program, which in the fiscal year 2006-2007, helped 192 families purchase their first homes.

Soon, the city of Pueblo became involved and donated a vacant lot for the house. One by one, local contractors, supply companies, construction companies, and individuals began donating materials for the endeavor. The project soon became called the Stone Soup House.

Juanita Baros and Max Lopez, shortly after moving into their new home

The real-life story is much like the old-time fable of the Stone Soup. As the story goes, one individual arrives in a village with nothing more than an empty pot.He adds stones to the empty pot with water, and soon the villagers each donate ingredients until finally a delicious soup is made and shared.

Just as in the children’s Stone Soup story, this story has a happy ending.

On February 1, 2008, the Stone Soup House received its final ingredient — excited homeowners.Juanita Baros and Max Lopez moved into their new home at 608 W. Arroyo Avenue, Pueblo, Colorado and it was perfect for them.  Baros uses a wheelchair and their new home provides easy access. The location is ideal as well since Baros' daughter owns a business only a few blocks away, and she gets to see her more often. Baros, Lopez, and Smoky the cat, are now happily situated in their new home.