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07796 December 6, 2007
Souper fund-raising event takes a bite out of hunger
Organizers hope to raise $10 million on Super Bowl Sunday
by Evan Silverstein Presbyterian News Service
LOUISVILLE - Super Bowl Sunday isn't just about football any more.
Combine the day with an annual nationwide youth effort called the Souper Bowl of Caring, tapping worshipers for donations, and you've got a great way to help the hungry.
This faith-based crusade against hunger, started by a Presbyterian pastor in 1990, has signed up youth groups to collect money and canned goods in soup cauldrons when parishioners leave services on Super Bowl Sunday, which will be Feb. 3.
Event organizers said they hope to raise $10 million through the 2008 Souper Bowl of Caring. In 2007, more than 14,000 organizations and congregations from 50 states and a variety of faith groups raised $8.1 million.
A total of 2,450 Presbyterian congregations and groups took part, contributing more than $1 million. More than 2,200 PC(USA) groups have already registered to participate in the 2008 event.
"The Souper Bowl of Caring is a vital and important ministry that reaches out in tangible ways to hungry and hurting people," said the Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly. "I am delighted that the young people of our churches are giving leadership through this movement to show God's love and justice to those in need."
The Souper Bowl of Caring, which is endorsed by six NFL owners, has raised $41 million for charities like food banks and soup kitchens since its inception in 1990. Participating groups phone in totals, then send donations to charities of their choice.
"The Souper Bowl of Caring is a great catalyst for engaging youth in lifelong service to our neighbors in need," said Gina Yeager-Buckley, the PC(USA)'s associate for Youth Ministry. "We're asking PC(USA) churches to partner with Souper Bowl of Caring to help our neighbors in need. Our goal is to see 2,700 PC(USA) churches participate and collect over $1.2 million for charities on Super Bowl Sunday, February 3, 2008!"
The Rev. Brad Smith started the Souper Bowl 17 years ago while serving as a seminary intern at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC.
He decided to ask parishioners to give $1 each for the needy as they left church on Super Bowl Sunday. His church's youth group liked the idea and invited other Columbia-area churches to join in. The first year 22 churches participated and collected $5,700 for ministries that help needy people.
The effort went statewide in 1991 and national in 1993.
In 1997, giving topped $1 million and an ecumenical board was formed to govern the event. In 2001, Smith was hired as full-time director.
"For 17 years young people have been leading the hunger fight through the Souper Bowl of Caring," Smith said. "Now, the entire country is catching on and transforming Super Bowl weekend into a time of unprecedented giving and serving."
Organizers hope to bring congregations to the kettles with a Souper Bowl Service Blitz on Saturday, Feb.2, when church youth groups are encouraged to volunteer in local soup kitchens, food banks and related charities.
The idea is to promote the Souper Bowl while getting young people involved in the fight against hunger.
For more information about the Souper Bowl of Caring or to register a church or group, call (800) 358-SOUP (7687). The program's home page, offers resources including prayers and Bible studies. All registered participants will receive a free resource kit with all of the materials they need to plan and promote their event.
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