Local schools, churches, and youth groups are participating in a national movement to transform Super Bowl weekend into the nation’s largest youth-led weekend of giving and serving through the Souper Bowl of Caring.

On Super Bowl Sunday February 1, 2009, youth will collect donations in large soup pots and donate 100% 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, youth 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.

This national movement began on Super Bowl Sunday in 1988 by a simple prayer spoken by Brad Smith, a S.C. 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.” Young people have collected more than $50 million through the Souper Bowl of Caring. Every penny goes to local charities.

“For 19 years, young people have been leading the hunger fight through the Souper Bowl of Caring,” said Rev. Dr. Brad Smith, Founder and Executive Director of the Souper Bowl of Caring. “Now, the entire country is catching on and transforming Super Bowl weekend into a time of unprecedented giving and serving”.

Quincy Catholic Charities, Quanada, and Two Rivers operate four area food pantries serving 9,335 families in 2007. This represented 24,961 individuals and the 2008 numbers are even more staggering.  The goal of the campaign is to generate 43,000 food items that will be split amongst the three organizations.  You can also send cash donations for the Souper Bowl of caring to the agency of your choice.  The Quincy Mall outside of Krieger’s will host a kickoff on Tuesday, January 13 at 10am and serve as the primary drop off point for the collection here in Adams County.  Other drop off sites include Two Rivers at 120 South Madison, Pittsfield, and Two Rivers at 206 SW Cross Street, Mt. Sterling.  Blessed Sacrament Parish, St. Dominic School, First Union Congregational Church, WGCA, Quincy Early Childhood Center, Madison Park Christian Church, Christ Lutheran Church, St. John’s Cathedral, and the QHS Beta Club have all agreed to collect food thus far for the 2009 collection. 

After a weekend of service and fundraising in their local communities, the three organizations continue their unique Super Bowl celebration by reporting their donation at http://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 http://www.souperbowl.org/.

Souper Bowl of Caring is at work through church youth groups and schools, as well as a variety of service organizations and it is endorsed by nine NFL owners. In 2007, more than 14,000 organizations collected over $8 million through the Souper Bowl of Caring. For more information, visit http://www.souperbowl.org/.

Contact Information
John Douglas, Two Rivers (217) 224-8171
Jerry Gille, Quanada (217) 222-0069
Kurt Stuckman, QCC (217) 222-0958