Souper Bowl of Caring

Children and youth make a big difference in combating hunger

	Souper Bowl of Caring 2009 Total money raised*:   $10,350,000 ELCA Lutherans total*:  $883,000 *Totals include $1 for every pound of food collected, in addition to cash donations. Visit the Souper Bowl of Caring Web site for more information and updated totals.

2009 Souper Bowl of Caring a success!

The Souper Bowl of Caring is a youth-led, ecumenical event that mirrors the annual NFL Super Bowl football game. On this Sunday, youth in ELCA congregations and other denominations raise money for and awareness about people who are hungry.

Feb. 1 marked the third year that Bethany Lutheran Church of Cherry Hills Village, Colorado, participated in the Souper Bowl of Caring. Church members placed their donations in one of two collection pots—one for the Cardinals and one for the Steelers—and in their competition the Cardinals won! To help congregation members understand the importance of combating world hunger, Pastor Ron Glusenkamp said, “God calls us to be right-sized in a super-size-me world.”

Bethany raised over $2,500 that was split between a local food bank and the ELCA World Hunger Appeal. When shown this tally, Sam Miller (age nine) said, "Wow, we sure are going to feed a lot of people!" Sam was one of 31 youth who participated in the event along with 42 additional members. In addition to collecting money, church youth and other members served a soup luncheon after each service. They also delivered soup to the households of eight homebound members and friends.

For more information about the Souper Bowl of Caring or to sign up your congregation’s youth group for the 2010 event, visit www.souperbowl.org.