SHAMOKIN - Parishioners attending services in area churches this Sunday will take on the challenge of fighting hunger by participating in a national event called "Souper Bowl of Caring," an annual food and financial drive coordinated with pro football's Super Bowl. The event is sponsored locally by the Shamokin Area Ministerium of Churches and will benefit Manna for the Many, Shamokin area's local food pantry. Donated canned goods will help maintain a sufficient inventory of food supplies for Manna in its quest to continue feeding needy families in the area. Any cash donations will be used to supplement Manna's inventories through food purchases from local suppliers.
"While football fans begin the countdown for Sunday's Super Bowl between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots, we are asking parishioners of area churches to assist us in our program of providing food for those in need in our community," Manna's board members reported. "The Souper Bowl of Caring vision is to transform the occasion of pro football's Super Bowl into a day of caring and unity by helping us all to be mindful of those without even a bowl of soup to eat."
As in past years, church members are asked to donate $1 in cash and/or a can of soup. Youth are urged to get involved by being stationed at the exits with soup kettles or other receptacles at the conclusion of services to receive monetary donations. Other receptacles will be provided at the entrances to the churches to receive canned food. All monetary and food donations collected remain in this area to purchase food supplies and maintain an inventory of commodities for distribution to clients registered at Manna.
Representatives of participating churches are asked to make a report of the amount of money and food donations collected by calling Grace Lutheran Church at 648-7534 between 1 and 3 p.m. on Sunday and leave a message.
Last year, area parishioners donated more than $2,000 and 1,500 cans of soup.
"Last year's Souper Bowl provided enough soup for the rest of the winter months for our clients," a spokesperson for Manna said. "We are emphasizing the need for soup donations again this year."
Manna started more than 20 years ago
More than 20 years ago, the Souper Bowl of Caring began with a single prayer from a single youth group in a North Carolina church. The prayer, "Lord, as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us to be mindful of those without even a bowl of soup to eat," is again used to emphasize the need for providing food to the hungry. Since that day, more than $81 million has been raised for local charities across the country through this special event. It has become a powerful movement that is transforming Souper Bowl weekend into the nation's largest youth-led weekend of giving and serving.
Manna for the Many, located at 144 E. Independence St., is observing 12 years as a local food pantry. Food distribution to registered clients is held three days each week: 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Operation of the pantry is staffed entirely by volunteers.
"Without the time given freely by volunteers and the donations of cash and food by the general public, our program of feeding the hungry would not be possible," Manna board members said. "That's why we are appealing to all residents attending church services this Sunday to help us continue this important program in our community."