From a simple prayer by a seminary intern in 1990 (Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those who are without a bowl of soup to eat) to a movement involving over 250,000 youth in 2010, the Souper Bowl of Caring has been a youth-led movement to help hungry and hurting people around the world. According to the organization’s website:
This prayer . . . gave birth to an idea. Why not use Super Bowl weekend, a time when people come together for football and fun, to also unify the nation for a higher good: collecting dollars and canned food for the needy? Youth could collect donations at their schools and churches in soup pots, and then send every dollar DIRECTLY to a local charity of THEIR choice. The senior high youth of Spring Valley Presbyterian liked the idea so much they decided to invite other area churches to join the team.
Over its 20+ year history, the organization has raised $70 million in food and funds. The one day a year event has grown into a weekend affair. Groups are encouraged to participate in a Service Blitz on Saturday and then collect funds and/or food on Sunday. In 2010, over a quarter of a million youth participated in raising over $10 million in food and funds. The goal for 2011 is $11 million.
So What?
In many congregations, youth are given few opportunities to lead congregation wide efforts. The Souper Bowl of Caring provides youth with a unique opportunity to be leaders in their congregation and to do something significant in the lives of those in their community who are hungry or facing other hardships.
I have had the privelege of being involved with several congregations that participate in the Souper Bowl of Caring every year. Will your congregation participate in the 2011?
- If not:
- Do you do something else at some point during the year that is youth led and involves the entire congregation around the idea of helping those in your community?
- What does your youth ministry do on Super Bowl Sunday? (e.g. regular meeting, game watching party, etc.)will you also engage in a Service Blitz?
- If so:
- Do the youth as a whole or a representative leadership team have input into setting your annual goal and choosing what charity to support?
- How are your congregation’s youth involved with the charity throughout the year?
- How has participating in this event changed your group? individuals within the group? How do you share those stories?