wfn.org | Souper Bowl" Organizers

[PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org]

17-December-1997 
97474 
 
    "Souper Bowl" Organizers Are Serving 
    up Annual Antihunger Drive 
 
    by Julian Shipp 
 
COLUMBIA, S.C.--While National Football League teams set their sights on 
winning the playoffs leading to the Super Bowl, Jan. 25, a special group 
here is seeking victory over hunger in America by holding the "Souper 
Bowl," a unique, Presbyterian antihunger campaign. 
 
    The concept is simple. As parishioners leave worship on Super Bowl 
Sunday (or the closest day possible) they are invited to each give $1 to 
help hungry and impoverished people nationwide. Young people standing at 
sanctuary exits receive the dollar donations in large soup caldrons and 
then send the money directly to the local charity of their congregation's 
choice. 
 
    According to Souper Bowl officials, the 1997 effort saw congregations 
representing all 50 states and Canada join forces to raise $1.1 million to 
care for "the least of these, our brothers" (Matt. 25) across America. 
 
    "Imagine the day when even one-quarter of the Super Bowl's 120 million 
viewers give a buck each to help hungry and hurting people," said the Rev. 
Brad Smith, pastor of Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia and 
Souper Bowl founder and coordinator. 
 
    Smith told the Presbyterian News Service that organizers hope to top $2 
million on Super Bowl Sunday this year and, with several new changes in the 
program, that goal is a likely possibility. For instance, Smith said, the 
Campbell Soup Company will help spread the word through a substantial 
advertising campaign. Reggie White, a Baptist minister and All-Pro 
defensive lineman for the Green Bay Packers, has been asked to serve as 
Campbell's Souper Bowl spokesperson. 
 
    Additionally, the session at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church received 
a grant from the Presbyterian Hunger Program this summer that they used to 
create an Ecumenical Council of Stewards, whose task is to link the Souper 
Bowl program with the food and antipoverty ministry efforts of about 10 
other mainline denominations. 
 
    Souper Bowl organizers don't control the use of the money collected. 
Each church is asked to donate its collection directly to a ministry it 
chooses, the rationale being that each community best knows its own needs. 
However, organizers do ask that a representative call Souper Bowl 
headquarters to report totals. 
 
    The Souper Bowl has been an overwhelming success since its kickoff in 
1990. It began when the youth of Spring Valley Presbyterian Church and 
Smith launched a citywide effort in 1990. That year 22 churches raised 
$5,700. An aggregate of nearly $3 million has been raised over the life of 
the effort. 
 
    Smith said that with the current federal welfare reform and food stamp 
reductions, the need to feed the nation's hungry is "probably greater than 
ever." 
 
    "In light of the current welfare reform, there's still some question as 
to how we care for the least of these," Smith said. "But as people of 
faith, it's a pretty clear call. So maybe the Souper Bowl is one way we do 
it." 
 
    No advance registration is required to participate in the Souper Bowl. 
Simply get permission from your pastor, advertise the effort, announce and 
receive the offering on January 25, report totals, and deliver the proceeds 
to the charity of your choice. For more information, call 1-800-358-SOUP or 
visit www.souperbowl.com on the World Wide Web with questions or to report 
totals on Souper Bowl Sunday. 

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For more information contact Presbyterian News Service
  phone 502-569-5504             fax 502-569-8073  
  E-mail PCUSA.NEWS@pcusa.org   Web page: http://www.pcusa.org 
  mailed from World Faith News <wfn-news@wfn.org>  

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