You are currently subscribed to the PCUSANEWS listserv of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
=========================================================== 06314 June 9, 2006
Souper Bowl nets $4.8 million for needy
PC(USA) congregations are super, raising a record $921,616
by Evan Silverstein
LOUISVILLE - Souper Bowl of Caring officials say Presbyterian churches collected nearly a million dollars in this year's annual anti-hunger campaign.
As of June 8, organizers say, 2,387 Presbyterian churches had raised a record $921,616 - and collections haven't been fully reported.
Overall, more than 11,664 organizations and congregations from a variety of U.S. religious denominations have reported collecting $4,844,466, according to Souper Bowl officials.
Donations from Presbyterians made up 19 percent of the total, the second most contributions behind the Roman Catholic Church. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) had the second-highest number of churches participating, behind the United Methodist Church.
The Souper Bowl program was inspired by a prayer the Rev. Brad Smith offered at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC, on Super Bowl Sunday in 1988.
Participating groups phone in totals, then send donations to charities of their choice.
"We give thanks to God for all the members of Presbyterian churches that continue to fight hunger and poverty by participating in the Souper Bowl of Caring," said Smith, the program's executive director.
Volunteers collected money and canned goods for the program at their churches on Feb. 5, taking advantage of the National Football League championship game. The program has raised more than $32 million for food banks, soup kitchens and other charities since its inception in 1990.
Last year more than 11,000 congregations and schools raised $4 million in all 50 states, Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, Puerto Rico and Brazil.
"The Souper Bowl of Caring invites people everywhere to join in this creative effort and experience the joy of putting Christ's love in action," Smith said. "Spread the word among your friends and family and challenge them to get their churches to participate."
About 2,228 Presbyterian churches in all 50 states took part in Souper Bowl 2005, generating $742,000, down slightly from $749,765 the previous year.
This year's top contributing PC(USA) congregations were: Sunrise Presbyterian Church in Salina, KS, $27,886; Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in Houston, TX, $18,129; and Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, IN, $10,710.
In another phase of the Souper Bowl program, young people are urged to serve a charity in their community on Super Bowl weekend - a task that more than 16,828 youths performed this year, including 2,639 Presbyterian young people.
The Presbyterian Hunger Program contributed $9,000 to help meet administrative expenses for the 2006 Souper Bowl. The hunger program also provides Souper Bowl resources to every PC(USA) congregation.
In January, the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, stated clerk of the PC(USA) General Assembly, joined other religious leaders by signing an affirmation of the Souper Bowl of Caring's mission and vision for helping the needy and offering the denomination's support.
"The Souper Bowl of Caring has garnered the support of thousands of churches, two former United States Presidents and several NFL owners," Smith said. "As we seek to make the weekend of the championship football game the largest weekend of caring in our country, we challenge every Presbyterian church that has ever participated to join the team in 2007."
Groups that participate are asked only to report their totals, so that a national figure can be calculated. Organizers encourage churches that have not yet reported 2006 Souper Bowl totals or wish to register for the 2007 campaign, to log on http://www.souperbowl.org or call (800) 358-SOUP (7687).
=========================================================== You are currently subscribed to the PCUSANEWS listserv of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
To unsubscribe, send a blank message to
mailto:PCUSANEWS-unsubscribe-request@halak.pcusa.org.
To update your email address, send your old email address and your new one to mailto:PCUSANEWS-owner@halak.pcusa.org.
For questions or comments, send an email to mailto:PCUSANEWS-owner@halak.pcusa.org.
To learn more, visit http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 100 Witherspoon Street Louisville, KY 40202 (888) 728-7228