The Souper Bowl of Caring was born from a single prayer: “Lord, even as we enjoy the Souper Bowl football game, help us to he mindful of those who are without a bowl of soup to eat." The Rev. Brad Smith spoke these words as a seminary intern serving in South Carolina in 1990, and a movement was born.
WHAT: A youth-led movement to fight hunger and poverty. The Souper Bowl of Caring unites an army of volunteer groups across the nation, who take local action to address a national problem. Souper Bowl of Caring provides free materials for individual groups' local efforts and raises awareness with national publicity for Souper Bowl of Caring events. Souper Bowl of Caring groups stage food drives, collect money and have service projects in their communities.
WHO: Everyone! Created as a youth-led activity, Souper Bowl of Caring is now a national movement, which has grown to include congregations, schools, civic groups and businesses. These volunteers send 100% of their collections directly to the local charity of their choice. Local food banks, community shelters, soup kitchens, and other organizations get much needed support from the efforts of the Souper Bowl of Caring participants.
WHERE: Across the United States in places of worship, schools, neighborhoods, grocery stores and other businesses. In a country known for its prosperity as well as its generosity, poverty and hunger still exist in most communities. This grassroots movement has given local groups an opportunity to raise awareness as they raise funds and collect goods for their chosen charities.
WHEN: On or near Super Bowl Sunday in February. This movement includes money donation drives, service projects and food collections on or around Super Bowl weekend, transforming the most celebrated time in football into one of the nation's largest youth-led service movements.
HOW: Plymouth Creek Christian Church will be accepting food and monetary donations for the Souper Bowl of Caring during the month of February. Checks may be sent to the church office at 16000 41st Avenue North, Plymouth, MN 55446. Please write "Souper Bowl" on the memo line
-All donations will go to the Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners foodshelf
-The totals collected will be reported to the Souper Bowl to be included in national totals (each non-perishable item is counted as $1).
Souper Bowl of Caring
PO Box 23224, Columbia. SC 29224
1-800-358-SOUP (7687) www.souperbowl.org
Reasons for Caring
One in four people standing in a soup kitchen line is a child.
-Share Our Strength
Thirty-five million working families are considered food insecure in the U.S.
-The Food Research and Action Center
A child's growth, mental development, and academic performance suffer from the lack of food.
-Center on Hunger and Poverty
Brandeis University
Thirty-seven percent of people requesting emergency food assistance are working citizens.
-The U.S. Conference of Mayors
2006 Hunger and Homelessness Survey
MISSION:
Utilizing Super Bowl weekend to mobilize and inspire youth to fight hunger and poverty in their local communities.
VISION:
Transforming Super Bowl weekend into the nation's largest youth-led weekend of giving and serving.
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