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Note #8102 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

Souper Bowl results are super
04062
February 5, 2004

Souper Bowl results are super

Presbyterians collected $500,000 of $2.9 million reported so far

by Evan Silverstein

LOUISVILLE - Souper Bowl of Caring officials say Presbyterian churches netted
nearly a half-million dollars in last weekend's annual anti-hunger campaign.

As of Feb. 4, nearly 1,500 Presbyterian churches had raised about $489,000
for the program, and organizers say collections haven't been fully reported.

Overall, more than 8,400 organizations and congregations from a variety of
U.S. religious denominations have reported collecting more than $2.9 million,
Souper Bowl officials said.

"The total has climbed nearly $500,000 today, and the reports are coming
fast," said the Rev. Brad Smith, the Presbyterian minister who founded the
Souper Bowl of Caring and is its executive director. "I feel like we are well
on our way to the $4 million goal."

Volunteers stood outside thousands of churches on Feb. 1, collecting money
and canned goods for the program, which takes advantage of the National
Football League championship game to raise money for the poor and
ill-nourished.

The program, held every year on Super Bowl Sunday, has raised more than $20
million for food banks, soup kitchens and other charities since its inception
in 1990.

Last year, youngsters from more than 12,000 churches, schools and other
groups in 50 states raised more than $3.5 million, up $400,000 from the
previous year. Presbyterians from about 2,240 congregations in 48 states
collected a record $719,452 for Souper Bowl 2003, about $15,000 more than in
2002.

Last year's top contributing PC(USA) congregations were Sardis Presbyterian
Church of Charlotte, NC, $5,300; Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian
Church of San Diego, CA, $2,634; and Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago,
$3,330.

The Presbyterian Church (USA)'s Hunger Program contributed $10,000 to help
pay administrative expenses last year and pledged the same amount for 2004.
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in Houston, the host city of this year's
Super Bowl, collected more than 32,700 non-perishable food items in leading a
citywide Souper Bowl drive.

"As totals continue to climb, we affirm all of the young people who held soup
pots and worked in food banks and soup kitchens in an effort to spread the
love of God to their neighbors in need," Smith said.

The Souper Bowl of Caring program was inspired by a prayer Smith offered on
Super Bowl Sunday in 1988 at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church.
Participating groups phone in their totals, then send the money and food to
charities of their choice.

Churches and organizations that participated but haven't reported can do so
by logging on to www.souperbowl.org or calling (800) 358-SOUP (7687).

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