Be Local by helping food banks through the Souper Bowl
The Souper Bowl of Caring will take place again on Feb. 3, Super Bowl Sunday, turning a fun day of football and parties into a way to help the hungry.
Be Local means supporting area food banks that help people in your communities.
Initiated in 1990 by a youth group from a South Carolina church, the Souper Bowl has grown into a national campaign with participants donating to a charity that fights hunger in their own communities.
Participation can be done by either organizing a non-perishable food and/or monetary collection or making a donation on your own.
The Souper Bowl of Caring website notes, “Even just a party where you ask everyone to bring canned goods while you watch the game is considered caring about your follow human beings.”
Locally, food banks are working hard and appreciate the help that programs like the Souper Bowl of Caring can bring.
Fayette County Community Action Agency Food Bank supplies 48 volunteer food pantries and congregate feeding sites.
According to the agency, “The FCCAA Food Bank is Fayette County’s designated warehouse for collection and storage of food for the needy. Last year, more than 1.9 million pounds of food were collected and distributed to approximately 9,000 persons.”
Dave Bork, project manager, said, “Fayette County has one of the highest poverty rates in the state and support for the food bank comes from projects like the Souper Bowl. It comes down to neighbors helping neighbors. There’s a lot we wouldn’t be able to do if not for donors who help.”
Monetary contributions can be mailed to: Fayette County Community Action Agency Food Bank, 108 N. Beeson Blvd., Uniontown, PA 15401. Donations can also be made by visiting the website at www.fccaa.org. For additional information or if you need donation collections to be picked up, contact the food bank at 724-437-6050, extension 1266.
Corner Cupboard Food Bank supplies 11 food pantries in Greene County.
“Our mission would not be possible without the folks in our community, without our volunteers,” said Candace Tustin, executive director, who noted, “We provide food to over 2,500 people each month. We are partially supported with government funds to purchase food but donations are appreciated. What we don’t have, we have to buy. Thanks to the generosity of folks – businesses, organizations and individuals in the community who contribute and volunteer their time – that’s how we keep going.”
Donations can be sent to Corner Cupboard at 881 Rolling Meadows Road, Waynesburg, PA 15370 or by visiting the website at www.cornercupboard.org.
Westmoreland County Food Bank serves 7,000 families in 43 food pantries.
Programs, such as the Souper Bowl, support their mission.
Jennifer Miller, CEO, said, “Local churches and organizations come out to help those in need and it’s a great reflection on the community.”
Donations can be mailed to the Westmoreland County Food bank at 100 Devonshire Drive, Delmont, PA 15626 or by visiting the website at www.westmorelandfoodbank.org.
Greater Washington County Food Bank serves 5,500 individuals each month through 45 food pantries and the Produce 2 People program.
Connie Burd, executive director, said, “Programs like the Souper Bowl increase awareness and awareness increases donations so no one goes to bed hungry.”
Donations can be sent to the Greater Washington County Food Bank at 909 National Pike West, Brownsville, PA 15417 or by visiting the website at www.gwcfb.org.
So while the Pittsburgh Steelers are not in the NFL’s Super Bowl this year, local residents can still make the day special by helping people in their own communities.
Those interested in joining the Be Local Network can contact Ted Flowers at 724-425-7231 or by email at tflowers@heraldstandard.com. Discount cards are available at the Herald-Standard, 8 E. Church St., Uniontown, and at the Greene County Messenger, 32 Church St., Waynesburg.