By Audrey Levine Staff Writer
Super Bowl weekend means parties, snacks and, above all else, a football game watched by millions.
But for one local church, and other organizations nationwide, the biggest sports event of the year is also about putting the “soup” in super.
Members of Faith Lutheran Church, on South Branch Road, participated in a nationwide Souper Bowl of Caring food drive on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 3, collecting $259 for the Samaritan Homeless Interim Program, in Somerville, and 199 cans of soup for the Hillsborough Food Bank.
In total, the Souper Bowl of Caring, which held its first drive in 1990, has raised $41 million nationwide.
”We like to participate since so much money is spent on the Super Bowl with parties, advertising and sports apparel,” said Marlene Boon, coordinator for the event. “Churches and organizations across the country now use this time to help the hungry in their neighborhoods. Every penny goes to local charities.”
Ms. Boon said the Sunday School classes of about 75 children, grades one through six, as well as other members of the church, donated the soup cans, while about 20 students in Confirmation classes, grades seven and eight, led services on Super Bowl Sunday and requested $1 from each congregant at the end. All the donations were collected after the services.
”The goal was to teach the kids about helping those who are hungry and in need in our community during a time when so much is spent on a football game,” she said. “It is held every year on Super Bowl Sunday to remind us to be mindful of those who are without a bowl of soup to eat.”
For Evan Hawkes, 12, he said participating in the charity event was an opportunity to work with his classmates to raise awareness about hunger, and help those less fortunate.
”I wanted to help spread the word about community hunger through an entertaining and humorous skit as part of the youth service,” he said. “It was rewarding to be able to help those in need. I enjoyed working together with other people my age to do something meaningful.”
Anther participant, 12-year-old CJ Boon, said he also enjoyed participating in skits to convince people that they should donate food and money to those less fortunate.
”We sometimes take what we have for granted and forget about those who are starving,” he said. “I feel good about helping others.”
In the six years the church has participated in the charity, Ms. Boon said they have collected $2,034 and 875 cans.
According to the charity’s Web site, the organization began in South Carolina, when Rev. Brad Smith, at the Spring Valley Presbyterian Church, voiced his idea to use the Super Bowl as a way to bring people together in collecting items for those in need. Since then, states across the country have joined in the initiative to deliver soup and funds to those who are struggling.
Evan said that using such a large nationwide event to promote the charity is a great way to help others become more aware of those affected by hunger.
”Having it on Super Bowl weekend definitely brings more attention to the charity,” he said. “People get together to eat and enjoy themselves on Super Bowl Sunday. This is an important time to remember those who don’t have enough to eat and can’t always enjoy themselves.”
For more information about the charity, visit the Web site at souperbowl.org.
