by Melissa Ramirez Cooper, ELCA News Service
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) raised $820,263
to support hunger-fighting organizations across the United States
and Caribbean as part of the 2007 "Souper Bowl of Caring" -- an
annual effort among faith groups aimed at raising millions of
dollars to fight hunger. The effort is primarily led by youth
who encourage their congregation's participation in the Souper
Bowl of Caring by using soup kettles to collect one-dollar bills
from parishioners as they leave church on the National Football
League's (NFL) "Super Bowl Sunday." Youth also collect food
products to support local food centers or shelters and take part
in volunteer opportunities. Youth groups decide where to donate
their collections. Some congregations of the ELCA contributed
their donations to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal and local
Lutheran social ministry organizations.
Congregations began reporting their results on the day of the
Super Bowl, which was Feb. 4. As of September, 14,500 faith
groups across the country raised more than $8.2 million in
2007. Totals are posted on the Souper Bowl of Caring's Web site.
No proceeds from the effort are sent to the Souper Bowl of
Caring.
The next Souper Bowl of Caring will take place on Feb. 3, 2008 --
the date of the next NFL Super Bowl. "Information in the Winter
2007-2008 ELCA World Hunger Resource Packet, mailed to every
congregation in October, will encourage ELCA youth groups to use
Souper Bowl of Caring as a starting point on a journey to
meaningfully make a difference in the lives of neighbors near and
far who struggle with hunger and poverty," said Sue Edison-
Swift, communication director, ELCA World Hunger and Disaster
Appeal. "Each year we are thankful for the many groups who
donate their collected funds to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal. It
makes a life-saving difference."
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
