It’s Super Bowl week! And, it’s Souper Bowl Week!
In 1990, a seminary intern delivered this simple prayer: “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.”
Out of that prayer, Souper Bowl of Caring was born. The idea was to use the energy and publicity around the Super Bowl to drive social good. Church youth groups and other organizations across the country collected canned goods and dollars (in 
soup pots!), and then donated those items to a local charity of their choice.
That first year, 22 churches in Columbia, SC collected $5700. Since then, the Souper Bowl of Caring has received the endorsements of NFL team owners, the NFL Super Bowl, and even the White House. So far this year, $2.1 million has already been recorded, with Houston leading the way at over $800 thousand.
If you are hosting a Super Bowl Party next Sunday, why not make it a Souper Bowl Party? Ask your fellow football fans to bring a canned food item to donate. Instead of exchanging bets on the game, have a soup pot available to collect those dollars and add them to your donation. Print this certificate and include it when you drop off your items at your favorite food pantry, so they know you participated in this event.
This is a really easy way to take a fun social gathering, draw attention to a local community need and make a positive difference. I hope the Giants win the Super Bowl, but I also hope many hunger fighting communities win the Souper Bowl.
