Make Super Bowl Sunday ‘Souper’ by giving to charity
Although the Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t going to the Super Bowl this year, there’s still a way for local football fans to make the day meaningful by participating in the Souper Bowl of Caring. The Souper Bowl is a national program that uses a play on words to fight hunger by asking participants to make donations to local food banks on Super Bowl Sunday, which is Feb. 4.
Fayette County Community Action Food Bank, which feeds about 14,000 local residents annually, benefits from the program. But officials are hoping to increase participation this year.
“Historically, we’ve had good support from churches,’ said James M. Stark, executive director of Community Action.
In fact, the Souper Bowl of Caring began in a church in South Carolina in 1990 with an emphasis on involvement by youths. Many local churches have participated in the program for years.
But Marian Chambers, senior resource consultant for Community Action, explained, “We want to expand to restaurants and businesses and even private Super Bowl parties if people are having a group over and want to take up a collection.’
Community Action is looking towards places such as supermarkets and restaurants where people buy food to prepare for Super Bowl parties, hoping they will ask patrons to consider a contribution to the food bank.
“Every member of the (Fayette) Chamber of Commerce was contacted in the monthly mailing to encourage them to join the Souper Bowl effort,’ explained a press release from Community Action. “Businesses are encouraged to ask employees and clients to participate. Area residents planning private Super Bowl bashes are urged to take up a Souper Bowl collection to support the food bank.’
Community Action attempted a mailing to reach every church in Fayette County to ask for their help.
The effort is being taken because donations to the food bank are down but the need continues to rise.
Jamie Brink, project manager for the Community Action food bank, said, “Monetary donations are down. Even food donations are down. We don’t know why. But the need is still very great. We’re getting anywhere from two to three phone calls a day from people asking where they can apply to a food pantry for the first time.’
Brink explained the new calls include people who have moved to the area from other states to look for work or because they have family in the area.
Donations also are down from major businesses that participate in national programs from which the Community Action food bank receives contributions.
Local officials think making use of the Super Bowl is a good way to help the food banks.
“Everybody watches the Super Bowl. They’re always talking about it,’ said Brink.
“It’s the most-watched television event,’ said Stark.
And the Souper Bowl of Caring, which involves many youths, is a good catalyst.
“It’s a nice way to get involved with helping the hungry,’ said Brink.
Asbury United Methodist Church in Uniontown is among the churches participating. Their donations will help Community Action food bank.
The Rev. Thomas E. Brown, pastor of Asbury, said, “We’re aware of the need and it’s an opportunity for our church to reach out to the community.’
Jessica Roscoe, president of the youth group, said, “We want to help people in need. We go out and collect canned goods and the youth does a Super Bowl service for the two morning services (9 and 11 a.m. on Super Bowl Sunday.)’
Brown said, “We have a Basket Fund and what’s collected that Sunday will go to the Souper Bowl.’
Businesses that are participating include Eat’n Park, Vinny’s and Wal-Mart in Uniontown as well as Argon ST in Smithfield.
Kristy Over, human resources manager for Argon ST, said, “Argon feels strongly about giving back to the community in which our employees live and work. Every year Argon donates one percent of its profits to local charity. The food bank is one of the recipients.’
Chambers said the Uniontown Rotary Club also is participating.
Stark said, “We appreciate the companies and businesses that have come forward to help the Souper Bowl to expand this year. We’re fortunate to have the support of Argon. They have a commitment to the local community. They’ve been a major contributor to the work we do at the food bank. The church community has been longtime supporters of this effort. It’s exciting that we’re able to reach out to other corporations.
Chambers said that Community Action has posters, canisters and flyers available for anyone who wants to participate. Brink said that arrangements can be made to pick up donations or they can be dropped off or mailed to Fayette County Community Action Food Bank, 119 N. Beeson Ave., Uniontown, Pa. 15401.
For more information, call Brink at 724-437-6050, extension 1264.