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Holy Week resources and reflections

‘Souper Bowl’ scores record $9.5 million; Presbyterians top $1 million

LOUISVILLE -- Souper Bowl of Caring officials say Presbyterian churches collected more than $1 million in last month's annual anti-hunger campaign.

As of March 5, organizers say, 2,356 Presbyterian churches nationwide had raised $1,001,523 -- and collections haven't been fully reported. The total marks the second straight year that Presbyterian collections broke the $1 million mark.

So far some 14,654 organizations and congregations from a variety of U.S. religious denominations have reported collecting a record $9.5 million, according to Souper Bowl officials.

LOUISVILLE — Souper Bowl of Caring officials say Presbyterian churches collected more than $1 million in last month’s annual anti-hunger campaign.

As of March 5, organizers say, 2,356 Presbyterian churches nationwide had raised $1,001,523 — and collections haven’t been fully reported. The total marks the second straight year that Presbyterian collections broke the $1 million mark.

So far some 14,654 organizations and congregations from a variety of U.S. religious denominations have reported collecting a record $9.5 million, according to Souper Bowl officials.

Donations from Presbyterians made up more than 11 percent of the total, the second most contributions behind the Roman Catholic Church. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) had the second-highest number of churches participating, behind the United Methodist Church.

The Souper Bowl program was inspired by a prayer Brad Smith offered at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia, S.C., on Super Bowl Sunday in 1988. Since then the campaign has raised nearly $50 million for charities like food banks and soup kitchens. Participating groups phone in totals, then send donations to charities of their choice.

“I am thankful to God for the long history of participation of Presbyterian churches in the Souper Bowl of Caring,” said Smith, the program’s executive director. “It is especially gratifying to see over 2,300 Presbyterian churches using this resource as a means to reach out to those who are hungry and hurting in their communities.”

Last year more than 14,000 organizations and congregations raised $8.1 million in all 50 states for the Souper Bowl of Caring. The total was up from $5 million in 2006.

More than 2,450 Presbyterian congregations took part in Souper Bowl 2007, generating $1.1 million. It was the first time that Presbyterian collections broke the $1 million mark.

So far this year’s top-contributing PC(USA) congregations are Sunrise Church in Salina, Kan, with $25,869, followed by Second Church in Indianapolis with $24,483, and Memorial Drive Church in Houston, $14,926.

Other top PC(USA) Souper Bowl contributors: Pine Shores Church in Sarasota, Fla., $13,092; and Trinity Church in Atlanta, $11,999.

In another phase of the Souper Bowl program, young people are urged to serve a charity in their community on Super Bowl weekend — a task that more than 12,000 youths performed this year, including 1,966 Presbyterian youth.

Overall, 277,678 youth participated in the 2008 Souper Bowl of Caring in some capacity, including 19,024 Presbyterian youth.

Organizers encourage churches that have not yet reported 2008 Souper Bowl totals or wish to register for the 2009 campaign, to log on or call (800) 358-SOUP (7687).

 

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