Advocacy Management Committee
2004—Simply Souper!
A record setting $4 million generated through the 2004 Souper Bowl of Caring is benefiting soup kitchens and food banks across the United States and beyond. In addition to collecting dollars, over 15,000 young people also served handson at soup kitchens, food banks, and other charities in their respective communities. Totals from 2003 were $3.5 million and 10,000 Service Blitz participants.
This youth-led and ecumenical grass
roots movement has generated
an aggregate of $24 million for
soup kitchens and food banks since
beginning with a prayer and a
single South Carolina youth group.
And exciting though the grand totals
are, the greatest impact may be the
mustard seeds planted in the hearts
and minds of young people who are
learning they can make a difference
in the lives of others.
Below are a few highlights regarding this year’s effort. If you find
nothing
that describes your diocesan effort, check the Souper Bowl of Caring website:
http://www.souperbowl.org
2004 Highlights
- Bob and Janice McNair, owners of the Houston Texans, served as first ever Honorary Chairs.
- First Lady, Laura Bush, joined Souper Bowl of Caring youth at the Capital Area Food Bank in Washington, D.C., to help kick-off the 2004 drive.
- Honorary head coach Sam Wyche recruited 28 coaches who each affirmed and encouraged youth by way of quotes and photos.
- The first ever Super Bowl host city initiative generated tremendous awareness and close to $300,000 in the metro Houston area.
- The first ever “Blitzathon,” a tenday, ten-city kickoff event featuring a 38’ motor home wrapped with Souper Bowl of Caring graphics was launched. The “Souper Bus” stopped in cities from Philadelphia to Houston, promoting the effort at food banks along the way.
- Clear Channel Communications, based in San Antonio, helped raise awareness nationally through radio, television, and public billboard advertising.
- “Dear Abby” published a letter, CBS mentioned the movement during the Super Bowl pre-game show, and hundreds of newspapers from USA Today and the Chicago Tribune to the Pasadena Star News in California lifted up coverage of this grass roots movement of God’s love.
- Souper Bowl began forging a partnership with America’s Second Harvest to spread the word throughout its national network of food banks.
- The Souper Bowl of Caring, for the first time ever, benefited from a full year of having a staff to advance this effort. Staffing includes one full-time and four part-time employees.
Looking Ahead
Energized by this year’s record participation and compelled by
the opportunity to show the world that Americans are a people of compassion,
we are more focused than ever on the goal of transforming Super Bowl weekend
into an opportunity for unprecedented understanding of discipleship,
based on Scripture and strong catechetical and evangelization principles,
leading to outreach making a positive
difference in the lives of others. Suggestions shared by the Center for
Ministry Development and other sources will be available to diocesan
leaders and local parish coordinators of youth ministry through downloadable
materials on websites. Look for exciting updates to come in your preparation
for next year’s Souper Bowl of Caring!