FITZGERALD, GEORGIA – FEBRUARY 8, 2010: The Chapel Youth participated 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 yesterday, Super Bowl Sunday, they collected donations in large soup pots for a 100% donation to their charity of their choice. By using this weekend as a time to help the hungry and needy, the young people learn about the reality of hunger and tragedy in their own neighborhood and beyond. This event is turning one of the nation’s universal days of celebration and parties into an opportunity to care for those in need.
Souper Bowl of Caring began in 1990 after Brad Smith, a S.C. pastor, led a Super Bowl Sunday prayer—“Lord, as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those who are without a bowl of soup to eat.”—and inspired youth group members to collect money for local hunger-relief charities. Since that time, this simple project has grown into a national movement of congregations, schools, businesses and individuals. Every penny or food item collected goes directly to a charity selected by each participating group.
“For over 20 years, young people have led this national movement of compassion raising more than $60 million for soup kitchens, food banks and other charities,” said Ron Goch, executive director of Souper Bowl of Caring. “Together, we all can make a difference through this effort. I hope everyone will find a way to give and serve.”
Yesterday was not the first time that that the Chapel youth engaged the church in the celebration. Last year, they participated in a service project with the Fitzgerald Community Club, donated food items to the Christian Kitchen, and raised $300 for the Monitor Enrichment Program. “Our youth look forward to this event because it gives them a chance to apply the lessons of giving they are learning in bible study and Sunday school,” says Alice Blount, Christian Youth Director. “We are so proud to see them energized and working together for this cause—last year, we were the highest contributing C.M.E. Church across the nation.” The young people have chosen the Haitian Relief effort as their 2010 charity of choice and are thankful for everyone who gave generously following the services. They are partnering with the CME Tenth Episcopal District for distribution. Given the devastation and great need in Haiti, they will be extending the Souper Bowl Project to the end of February. So far, the youth have collected almost $300. If anyone wants to donate, please contact the church at (229) 423-7785 or be ready to place donations in the soup pots following each service.
[3/1/2010 Update: Holsey Chapel CYFer's collected and reported $500. Thus, making them the third highest CME church contributor in the connection.]
At the conclusion, contributions and experiences will be reported to the national organization. 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. “Youth everywhere are demonstrating how small efforts can make a huge impact in the fight against hunger and poverty,” exclaimed Rev. Brad Smith, Founder and Executive Director of the Souper Bowl of Caring. “We applaud everyone who has signed up to use the Souper Bowl of Caring to step outside of themselves and share God’s love with their neighbors in need.”
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 seven NFL owners. In 2009, more than 13,500 organizations collected $10.4 million through the Souper Bowl of Caring. For more information or to find more local, participating groups, visit www.souperbowl.org or the Holsey Chapel website at www.cmefitzgerald.org .
