About Us

Get involved in this simple, yet powerful movement of caring.

Mission Statement

Utilizing Super Bowl weekend to mobilize youth to fight hunger and poverty in their local communities.

Vision Statement

Transforming Super Bowl weekend into the nation's largest youth-led weekend of giving and serving.

We believe:

• The idea for Souper Bowl of Caring is a gift from God
• Young people have the ability to serve and should be given opportunities to lead their communities in helping others
• Every dollar collected through Souper Bowl of Caring should be donated directly to a charity selected by each participating group
• People of all backgrounds and beliefs can work together
• Hunger and poverty have a negative impact on individuals and the communities in which they live, yet there is joy in serving and giving to those in need
• The excitement and energy surrounding the Super Bowl can be used to engage young people in service while producing lasting hope for all people

History

A simple prayer: "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" is inspiring a youth-led movement to help hungry and hurting people around the world.

This prayer, delivered by Brad Smith, then a seminary intern serving at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC, 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. Twenty-two Columbia churches participated that first year, reporting their results so a total could be determined, and then sending all $5,700 they had raised to area non-profits.

That was 1990. Since then, ordinary young people have generated an extraordinary $70 million for soup kitchens, food banks and other charities in communities across the country. In addition, hundreds of thousands of youth have experienced for themselves the joy and satisfaction of giving and serving, inspiring people of all ages to follow their generous example.

Timeline

• 1990
  • First ever Souper Bowl of Caring- 22 churches raise $5,700 in Columbia, South Carolina
• 1991
  • Youth of Spring Valley Presbyterian Church recruit groups across South Carolina to join the team
• 1993
  • Churches and schools from 36 states join in first national effort
• 1997
  • Souper Bowl of Caring breaks $1 million and gains 501(c)(3) non-profit status
• 2002
  • Founder, Rev. Dr. Brad Smith becomes first full-time staff member as Executive Director
• 2003
  • Awarded Daily Point of Light Award by Points of Light Foundation
• 2004
  • First NFL Owners support Souper Bowl of Caring: Bob and Janice McNair- Houston Texans
  • First Host City Initiative- Houston- Super Bowl XXXVIII
  • First Lady Laura Bush kicks-off Souper Bowl of Caring in Washington, DC
• 2005
  • Host City Initiative- Jacksonville- Super Bowl XXXIX
  • President George H.W. Bush becomes National Advocate
  • President Jimmy Carter becomes National Advocate
• 2006
  • First official Super Bowl Host Committee Endorsement- Detroit SBXL
• 2007
  • Official Community Impact Partners of SBXLI Host Committee, S. Florida
  • Service Blitz participation breaks 20,000
  • Inaugural Souper Bowl of Caring Greater Houston Food Drive raises $1.8 million in cash and cans
• 2008
  • National total reaches $10 million in cash and food
  • Community Food Drive model expands to Austin and Dallas/Fort Worth
• 2009
  • New National record of $10.4 million in cash and food
  • National Student Alliance created
  • Ron Goch hired as Executive Director, replacing Founder, Brad Smith

History Totals

Frequently Asked Questions

For the most up to date answers, check out our online FAQ page

Annual Report

Download our Annual Report (PDF file - 12 Mb)

Staff

National Staff

Melanie Andreen - Controller

Tracy Bender - Vice President, Communications

Jamie Clark - Webmaster

Ron Goch - Executive Director

Sheree Muse - Director of School Relations

Stewart Rawson - Development Director

Caroline Stephens - Director of Church Relations

Kay Stursberg - Office Manager

Field Directors

Cristina Curtis Barbe - North Texas Director

Julie Falcon - Texas Director

Emily Heeg - North Florida Director

Board of Directors

Dave Peterson (Chair)
Senior Pastor, Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church
Houston, TX

Gus Dixon (Vice-Chair)
Attorney and Partner, Nelson, Mullins, Riley, & Scarborough, LLP
Columbia, SC

Robert Hill, Jr. (Treasurer)
CEO, South Carolina Bank and Trust
Columbia, SC

June H. Kim (Secretary)
Executive Secretary, World Hunger and SA&D Programs
United Methodist Committee on Relief
General Board of Global Ministries
New York, NY

Lee Bussell
Chairman and CEO, Chernoff Newman
Columbia, SC

Ann Cassidy
Teacher, Salesian High School
Richmond, CA

Melissa Daigneault
Youth Representative
Odessa, FL

Chris Goodall
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Continental American Insurance
Columbia, SC

Ashley Mullican
Youth Representative
Yardley, PA

Brad Smith
Founder and Chairman Emeritus
Senior Pastor, Eastminster Presbyterian Church
Columbia, SC

Ron Swinson
Partner, CB Richard Ellis
Columbia, SC

DuBose Tuller
President, SEACO Asphalt Emulsions
Columbia, SC

Velva Woollen
Community Volunteer
Charlotte, NC

National Advocates

President & Mrs. George H.W. Bush - 41st President of the United States

President & Mrs. Jimmy Carter - 39th President of the United States

The Hunt Family - Owners, Kansas City Chiefs

Jim & Meg Irsay - Owners, Indianapolis Colts

Gene & Jerry Jones Family - Owners, Dallas Cowboys

John K. Mara - President & CEO, New York Giants

Janice & Bob McNair - Chairman and CEO, Houston Texans

The Jerry Richardson Family - Owner/Founder, Carolina Panthers

J. Wayne & Delores Barr Weaver - Chairman and CEO, Jacksonville Jaguars