Souper Bowl of Caring
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The Souper Bowl of Caring utilizes Super Bowl weekend to mobilize youth to fight hunger and poverty in their local communities. Its vision is to transform Super Bowl weekend (the first Saturday and Sundays of every February) into the nation's largest youth-led weekend of giving and serving. Youth collect monetary and food donations during the week leading up to Super Bowl Sunday. Youth collect in churches, schools, and businesses. 100% of the money and food is then given directly to local charities.[1]
History
The Souper Bowl of Caring began in 1990 with a simple prayer said by Reverend Brad Smith of Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC:
Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those who are without a bowl of soup to eat
That year was 1990, in which 22 churches raised $5,700. Since then, the Souper Bowl of Caring has branched out to include schools, businesses and congregations of all faiths. Together they have raised more than $50 million in dollar and food donations[2].
Service Blitz
On the Saturday before the big game, Service Blitzes are held in many communities. A Service Blitz is a day of service in which youth from the area come together to volunteer at a local charity. This Service Blitz gives the participants exposure to the cause they are fighting against: poverty, hunger, homelessness, and injustice. Some communities sponsor local events to raise awareness, others get their youth group or club involved with a soup kitchen to get a hands-on experience. [3]
National Youth Advisory Board
Although the Souper Bowl of Caring is led by adults, the basis of the organization is its association with the youth. Therefore in 2007, a National Youth Advisory Board or NYAB was created to bring youth ambassadors of the Souper Bowl to local communities around America. The board is composed of 15-20 high school students from around the country who serve as youth spokespeople to the media, lead and advise their respective communities, assist the Souper Bowl of Caring by providing ideas and suggestions and represent the Souper Bowl in a positive manner. Additionally, the youth attend two meetings to prepare for the upcoming event.[4]
National Advocates
The Souper Bowl of Caring is supported and endorsed by 10 NFL owners as well as two US Presidents:[5]
- President and Mrs. George H.W. Bush
- President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter
- Mr. and Mrs William Bidwill-Arizona Cardinals
- H.Wayne Huizenga and family-Miami Dolphins
- Jim and Meg Irsay-Indianapolis Colts
- Woody Johnson, Chairman and CEO, New York Jets
- Gene and Jerry Jones Family, Owners, Dallas Cowboys
- John K. Mara, President and CEO, New York Giants
- Janice and Bob McNair-Houston Texans
- The Jerry Richardson Family-Carolina Panthers
- J.Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver-Jacksonville Jaguars
References
- ^ Soup's On -- at the Souper Bowl of Caring, January 14, 2008
- ^ Souper Bowl of Caring History, retrieved 2008-11-12
- ^ Souper Bowl of Caring Service Blitz info, retrieved 2008-11-12
- ^ Souper Bowl of Caring NYAB, retrieved 2008-11-12
- ^ Souper Bowl of Caring National Advocates, retrieved 2008-11-12
Sources
- Souper Bowl of Caring Official Website
- ELCA World Hunger's Souper Bowl of Caring page
- Mrs. Bush's Remarks at Capital Area Food Bank's Souper Bowl of Caring, January 22, 2004
- The Congressional Record - SC. Representative Addison Wilson recognizes Souper Bowl of Caring in front of the House of Representatives, February 5, 2007
- 'Souper Bowl of Caring' founder encourages Lutherans to raise $1 million, January 18, 2007
- UM Youth Workers - Souper Bowl of Caring...get involved!, October 3, 2006