About Us

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 the 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 the 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

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

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 $41 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
• 2001
  • First Service Blitz- 5,000 youth participate
• 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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Annual Report

Download our Annual Report (PDF file - 8 Mb)

Staff

National Staff

Rev. Dr. Brad Smith - Founder and Executive Director

Vacant Position - Vice President, Development, Contact soup@souperbowl.org

Melanie Andreen - Controller

Tracy Bender - Vice President, Communications

Jamie Clark - Interactive Communications Specialist

Judy Lineberger - Publications Coordinator

Sheree Muse - Director of School Relations

Caroline Stephens - Director of Church Relations

Kay Stursberg - Office Manager

Field Directors

Julie Falcon - Texas Director

Emily Heeg - North Florida Director

Vacant Position - South Carolina Director, Contact tracy@souperbowl.org

Board of Directors

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

Mr. Gus Dixon (Vice-Chair)
Nelson, Mullins, Riley, & Scarborough, LLP
Columbia, SC

Mr. Lee Bussell
Chairman and CEO, Cernoff Newman
Columbia, SC

Sister Ann Cassidy
Salesian High School
Richmond, CA

Mr. Spencer DeWald
Youth Representative
Boca Raton, FL

Mr. Robert Hill
SCBT
Orangeburg, SC

Mr. H. Wayne Huizenga Jr.
President, Huizenga Holdings
Ft. Lauderdale, FL

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

Mr. Ron Swinson
Peach Properties
Columbia, SC

Mr. DuBose Tuller
Seaco
Columbia, SC

Rev. Dr. Brad Smith (ex-Officio)
Souper Bowl of Caring Executive Director
Columbia, SC

National Advocates

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

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

H. Wayne Huizenga & Family - Owners, Miami Dolphins

Jim & Meg Irsay - Owners, Indianapolis Colts

Janice & Bob McNair - Chairman & CEO, Houston Texans

The Jerry Richardson Family - Owner/Founder, Carolina Panthers

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

Mr. & Mrs. William Bidwill - Chairman & Owner, Arizona Cardinals