Bethel Kids/Youth and the Bethel Faith Formation Team join thousands of church and school groups nationwide, hosting Bethel’s first “Souper Bowl of Caring,” a youth-led initiative to tackle issues of hunger and food insecurity.
Did you know? Pastor Bill Yancey was one of several local ELCA pastors who signed their support for a successful grant application for an ELCA Domestic Hunger Grant for Food for The Ville.
What is it?
In 1990, a simple prayer: “Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those without a bowl of soup to eat” offered by a seminary intern in Columbia, South Carolina resulted in a local youth group collection, joined by a score of area churches, and benefitting local hunger ministries. Thus, the Souper Bowl of Caring was born. Since then, it has become a nationwide grass-roots youth-inspired movement. Over $170 million in funds and food has been collected over the past 30 years by church and school groups. All funds go directly to a local charity chosen by each group.
What is Bethel doing?
Bethel Kids/Youth and the Bethel Faith Formation Team are asking our Bethel family to support this project as we approach this year’s Super Bowl Sunday. January’s 5th Sunday of Service focused on this campaign and how Bethel can help; it also includes a list of needed items for God’s Helping Hand food pantry, and the back story of Food for The Ville (including the three-year plan and goals). Here is a recording of that session:
How can you help?
- Saturday, February 12: there will be drive-through drop-off food collection for God’s Helping Hand in Bethel’s parking lot from 11am to 1pm. Jody and Bethel Kids will be available to receive your gifts.
- What should I bring? Click here for a list of needs.
- Here’s a video made by one of our Bethel Youth to help you out!
- Sunday, Feb. 13: a representative of Bethel Kids will be in the narthex with a soup pot to receive your donations (either cash or checks payable to Unity Lutheran Church, memo: GHH/FFTV) You may also mail that check to Bethel, attn: Souper Bowl of Caring, made out the same way.
- The back story of Food for The Ville — and the three-year plan — can be seen here. Copies of the brochure are also in the rack near the bulletin board.
- Questions? Contact Jody Kluender or Deb Grupe.