Souper bowl of caring | Collection of food and money
Souper Bowl of Caring is a national movement of young people working to fight hunger and poverty in their own communities around the time of the Super Bowl football game. In the weeks leading up to or on Super Bowl Sunday, youths take up a collection, asking for one dollar or one item of food for people in need. They give 100 percent of the donation directly to the local hunger-relief charity of their choice. The project began in 1990 with youths at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia, S.C. Brad Smith, then a seminary intern serving there, suggested the idea. Since then, more than $90 million has been donated to soup kitchens, food banks and other charities in U.S. communities. This year there are 545 groups participating and donating to 96 charities. So far, $2,721,274 in food and cash has been collected. This weekend, youth groups at area churches will be collecting. They include:
First Presbyterian Church, 201 Wick Ave., Youngstown: Boy Scout Troop 55 of the church will be honored on Scout Sunday this weekend and members will collect canned and pre-packaged food items for Protestant Family Service. Worship is at 11 a.m.
Girard First United Methodist Church, 22 N. Market St, Girard: Youths will collect canned soup and monetary donations to benefit Emmanuel Care Center in Girard. Worship is at 10:45 a.m.
St. Columba Cathedral, 159 W. Rayen Ave., Youngstown: Throughout January until Souper Bowl Sunday, youths will collect canned and boxed soup. The goal is 500 items. Masses are 4:30 p.m. today and 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday.
St. John’s Episocopal Church, 323 Wick Ave., Youngstown: Souper Bowl Sunday collection at 8 and 10:30 a.m. worship Sunday will benefit the Red Door Cafe and Pantry at the church. The cafe offers a free meal from noon to 1 p.m. Sundays and the pantry has a food distribution the third Saturday of the month.