Please help me with this recipe.

I am an Orthodox Christian and our Lent is going to begin soon. During Lent it is optimum to eat no meat or dairy products -- think vegan for the most part. Anyway I wanted to make a pumpkin soup to take to a church function and I'm wondering if anything can be substituted for the chicken broth in this recipe and still give the soup some flavor.

I appreciate whatever help you can offer...


Pumpkin Coconut Bisque

2 tbsp. butter
1 cup chopped onion
3 chopped garlic cloves
3 cups canned solid pack pumpkin
2 cups chicken broth
2 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
1 1/2 cups canned, unsweetened coconut milk

Melt butter in a heavy, large stockpot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until
golden, about 8 minutes. Add pumpkin, broth, sugar, allspice and crushed pepper. Bring to a
boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
Working in batches puree soup in blender until smooth and return to pot. Bring soup to a simmer,
thinning with coconut milk until it is the desired thickness and taste.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.