SOUPER BOWL EFFORTS TO RAISE MONEY FOR FOOD PANTRIES

If every person who attends a house of worship Sunday donates $1 to the soup pot collections, the effort could help alleviate hunger in communities nationwide.

Nearly 16 churches in Southeast Missouri will participate in the Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday. The money and food donations they collect will be given to area food pantries.

By virtue of its name, everyone knows when the event is coming so they're prepared with donations of canned soup, said Gerald Campbell of Westminster Presbyterian Church.

The youth at the church will be collecting food and money for FISH after worship on Sunday. "We usually get a good response," he said.

The Souper Bowl of Caring began in 1990 in a Presbyterian congregation in Columbia, S.C., and has since grown across the nation and into Canada. Organizers hope to recruit 20,000 congregations by Super Bowl Sunday.

"The Souper Bowl of Caring offers people in churches across the country a simple but significant way to join together in caring and unity," said the Rev. Brad Smith, founder. "We believe this idea is a gift from God and we encourage people everywhere to join the team and help the needy of their community."

There is no cost for participating. Organizers ask only for a tabulation of game day collection totals.

Last year the collection totaled $2.5 million. Since 1990, the organization has raised $7 million for local charities.

Even if people forget to bring canned soup, "most people have a dollar in their pocket," Campbell said. "It's an opportunity for everybody to participate."

And the food pantries can use the monetary donations just as much as the canned goods, he said. "That way they can buy what they need."

Youth from the St. Joseph's parish in Scott City have been raising money for the Souper Bowl for about four years now. The event is entirely organized by the youth, said Alvina Compass, school secretary. Her granddaughter is in charge of this year's collection. "It's been very successful for them," she said.

Although youth are collecting the money and cans, everyone at First Baptist Church in Sikeston participates in the program. "It's grown every year," said the Rev. Jim Guthy, pastor.

For four years now, the congregation has been collecting money for the Missouri Mission in Sikeston.

Advance registration for the Souper Bowl is not required. For more information or details, visit the Web site at www.souperbowl.com or call (800) 358-SOUP.

SOUPER BOWL OF CARING

What Is It?

A joint effort of churches across the nation to show the good possible when we give of ourselves. Congregation members are encouraged to give $1 each on Super Bowl Sunday.

Where does the money go?

Each congregation decides and sends contributions directly to the charity.

Who collects the donations?

Youth from each congregation use large soup pots to collect donations as parishioners leave this Sunday.

More information?

Visit www.souperbowl.com or call (800) 358-SOUP.