Souperbowl a work of the heart

Are you ready for the … Souperbowl?

Souperbowl of Caring had a humble beginning, back in 1990 at Spring Valley Presbyterian Church in Columbia, South Carolina. Under the guidance of a seminary intern, the youth collected money and food items for the needy in their community in conjunction with their Super Bowl party.

Their first effort raised $5,700.

Flash forward to 2017. Last year, churches, youth groups and other community organizations across the country raised $10,167,315 in cash and food items. That breaks down to 6,548 participating groups who helped 4,840 charities with 4,782,461 pounds of food.

Staggering.

Equally staggering: the heart behind these collections, which truly gives meaning to humans becoming the hands and feet of the Creator.

Mother Teresa espoused the Seven Corporal Works of Mercy, among which include feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty (the others are clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned, bury the dead).

An incredible thing, this work of the heart.

I wonder about that group of teenagers from 1990. I wonder what they think as each new Souperbowl of Caring comes (and goes). I wonder what they think about this humble project of theirs, and all the good it has brought about for people who need a bit of help?

There’s an ebb and flow to needing a little help, and then being able to reach out and offer a hand. We’ve all been there at one time or another.

In the late ’80s, Steve Green sang “He Who Began a Good Work in You,” and those lyrics still ring true: “He who began a good work in you, will be faithful to complete it.” The song continues about struggles and despair, yet we shouldn't lose hope.

At some point, we all need a helping hand. And if we’re fortunate, there are earth-angels who are there to help us in our low points. Those are the true heroes. People who do … just because they can and because it is the right thing to do.

It is one thing to be good at something, and quite another to be good for something (another dad-ism).

These are the people who feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned, bury the dead. Because they can. Because it is the right thing to do.

Patti Dobson writes about faith for The Eastern New Mexico News. Contact her at: [email protected]