| “Although
the Souper Bowl of Caring is a small step in the fight against
hunger, it is a way for young people to put God’s love into
action by developing a heart for helping others,” said the
Rev. Brad Smith, the Presbyterian minister who kicked off the
fund-raiser 14 years ago in Columbia, SC. “The goal is for
these young people to see they can make a difference and continue
contributing through volunteerism when they reach adulthood.”
Last year, youngsters from more than 12,000 churches, schools
and other groups in 50 states raised more than $3.5 million, up
$400,000 from the previous year. The record is the $3.6 million
raised in 2001.
Presbyterians from about 2,240 congregations in 48 states collected
a record $719,452 for Souper Bowl 2003, about $15,000 more than
in 2002.
The Presbyterian
Church (USA)’s Hunger Program contributed $10,000 to
help meet the administrative expenses last year and has pledged
the same amount for 2004.
Presbyterians Bob McNair and his wife, Janice, owners of the
NFL Houston Texans, are honorary chairs of the 2004 Souper Bowl.
In November, former President George Bush and his wife, Barbara,
joined the McNairs at Reliant Stadium in Houston for the kickoff
of Souper Bowl 2004.
Smith and a group of young people from Houston also joined the
McNairs on the sideline before the game. The McNairs, members
of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in Houston, were the first
to put money in a soup pot to encourage youth in Texas and around
the country to participate. Outside the stadium gates, young people
collected almost $1,200 for the Houston Food Bank. (Memorial Drive
church also has been helping in a citywide project in support
of the Souper Bowl of Caring.)
“We are grateful for the McNairs’ participation
and willingness to encourage youth in their efforts to help others,”
Smith said.
Participating groups are asked only to report contributions so
that a national total can be calculated. All the money is given
to local charities chosen by the people who raise it.
A "Blitzathon” has been added this year. On Jan. 21,
organizers will start a 2,000-mile motor-home journey to 10 cities
in 10 days, ending in Houston, the site of the NFL Super Bowl.
During stops in cities including Philadelphia, Charlotte, NC,
and Washington, DC, organizers and local teens will volunteer
in food banks and soup kitchens and promote the Souper Bowl.
Organizers also hope to bring congregations to the kettles with
a “Souper Bowl Service Blitz” on Saturday, Jan. 31,
when church youth groups are encouraged to serve in local soup
kitchens, food banks and related charities. The idea is to promote
the Souper Bowl while getting young people involved in the fight
against hunger.
For more information, call (800) 358-SOUP (7687). The program’s
home page, www.souperbowl.org,
offers resources including prayers and Bible studies.
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