Funds, food help needy

By Linda Linonis | February 4, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

souper bowl of caring

By LINDA M. LINONIS

Though the Souper Bowl of Caring generally draws on youths, at least one group is more mature.

Kathleen “Honey” O’Connell, a longtime member of First Christian Church, 140 E. Broadway Ave., Girard, described the congregation as “small and older.” But, their care and concern for others keeps them young at heart.

The Souper Bowl of Caring project promotes collection of funds and food on Super Bowl Sunday; the money and nonperishable items are donated to community and church organizations to disperse.

O’Connell said she has the soup pots out a few weeks before Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday this weekend. “There is so much hurt and hunger in this world, it bothers your mind to think of it,” she said.

But, members do more than think; they donate financially to the effort. And those funds go to Rescue Mission of Mahoning Valley.

O’Connell said church members participate because “family and friends have been affected by the economy.” The church has supported the project for 15 years. Members generally raise about $150 or so.

The church also has a food pantry and distributes food the third Wednesday of the month.

At First Presbyterian Church, 201 Wick Ave., Youngstown, Boy Scout Sunday coincides with Souper Bowl of Caring.

Members of Troop 55, led by Rich Cook, will serve as greeters, ushers and liturgists in addition to collecting donations and food items. The collection will benefit Protestant Family Service.

Cook said the project prompts a discussion with his troop about “sharing what you have with those who don’t have” and why it’s the right thing to do. “It’s about learning to give,” Cook said.

At Good Hope Lutheran Church, 98 Homestead Drive, Boardman, TWIST (Teens Whose Inspiration Shines Through), actively decide what projects in which to be involved.

Susan Wessner, associate in ministry, said she provides suggestions on activities but it is the youths who make the decision.

“I ask them to really think about what they want to support,” she said.

About 10 of the 25 seventh- through 12th-graders in TWIST will be collecting donations, monetary and personal hygiene items, for the Souper Bowl of Caring.

Wessner explained the church sponsors Good Hope Emergency Food Pantry, which could use the personal hygiene products to distribute.

Money will benefit the Good Hope Needy Fund, which helps people pay pressing bills.

Wessner said the young people “are aware” that “many people need help.”

She added that tenants of faith about helping the less fortunate come into play.

“They want to do more to help and look for direction on how to be helpful,” she said.

The motto at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 323 Wick Ave., Youngstown is “Love God, love your neighbor, change the world.” That ties in with the motivation to help those in need through the Souper Bowl of Caring.

The Rev. Dr. Bradley Pace, rector, said the church has participated in the nationwide event for 11 years. So far, they’ve raised $3,100 and about $450 last year.

Monetary contributions and nonperishable foods collected will benefit the church’s Red Door Cafe and food pantry. The Rev. Dr. Pace said about 65 people attend the Sunday noon meal. Volunteers and preparation rotate among 20 churches, making it an interfaith activity.

For youths involved, Dr. Pace said, “Kids get to see how hospitality is central to caring and sharing and a key part of being a Christian.”

The food pantry, which operates under federal guidelines, distributes food as needed and on the third Saturday of the month.

Carole Rummell, Christian educator at First Presbyterian Church of Mineral Ridge, 3654 Main St., Mineral Ridge, said the Souper Bowl of Caring is a hands-on project for the 17 youth-group members and an educational event. She said the young people, who range in age from preschool through high school “become aware that hunger is all around us.” They share that message through a skit relating to the project to promote donations.

“Faith calls them to take action,” Rummell said. “I think it’s a culture we build of a ministry reaching out to others.

The group has participated about nine years, raising about $5,500 to help those in need and gathering food items that go to Niles Community Service.