Churches, individuals taking part in Souper Bowl

By: Mike Conley | McDowell News
Published: February 04, 2010

Once again, local youth and churches will take part in a national movement to transform the upcoming Super Bowl weekend into the nation's largest youth-led weekend of giving and serving. It is called the Souper Bowl of Caring.
The Rev. Bill Warren, executive director of McDowell Mission Ministries, said he hopes more people and churches will take part in this special event and it is easy to do.
"You can give as little as a can of food or the change in your pocket," he said. "The needs are great. I don't have to tell the people of McDowell County that. I hope people get involved."
On Super Bowl Sunday, young people throughout the United States will collect donations of food and money in large soup pots and donate 100 percent of their collection to a local charity of their choice. Many will also volunteer at their selected charity the day before the big game. By using this weekend as a time to help the hungry, teens will learn about the reality of hunger in their own neighborhoods and are turning one of the nation's universal days of celebration and parties into an opportunity to care for those in need.
On the same day, churches throughout the country will collect canned goods, non-perishables and money. So folks should remember to bring donated food or money for the cause when they go to church the morning before the Big Game.
The nationwide event has had an impact here in McDowell. According to the Souper Bowl of Caring's Web site, nine local churches participated in the event last year. They were Conley Memorial Presbyterian Church, the First Baptist Church of Marion, Garden Creek Baptist Church, Grace Community Church, Liberty Free Will Baptist Church, the First United Methodist Church of Marion, Friendship Baptist Church and Old Fort Presbyterian Church. These nine churches are listed on the Web site has raising $11,703 and 48 cans of food in 2009.
Some of these churches chose McDowell Mission Ministries as their charity. The Mission got $4,600 in 2009 from this effort, according to Warren.
"You can support any charity," he added.
This national movement began on Super Bowl Sunday in 1988 by a simple prayer spoken by Brad Smith, a South Carolina pastor. "Lord, as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those who are without a bowl of soup to eat," he said.
The first ever Souper Bowl of Caring was held in Columbia, S.C. where 22 churches raised $5,700.
Young people nationwide have since collected more than $60 million through the Souper Bowl of Caring. Every penny goes to local charities such as soup kitchens, food banks and other organizations.
After a weekend of service and fund-raising in their local communities, youth continue their unique Super Bowl celebration by reporting their donation at www.souperbowl.org. The reporting process provides participating groups the opportunity to monitor the success of their efforts and the collective efforts of youth across the country. Results are shared in real time at www.souperbowl.org.

Churches, individuals taking part in Souper Bowl

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