Church takes part in 'Souper Bowl'
ELLISTON - A local church took part in a national effort to end hunger by hosting a "Souper Bowl of Caring" in Elliston on Super Bowl Sunday.
Zion United Methodist Church had more than 15 homemade soups to try and a ping-pong tournament at the church hall at 18045 W. William St. to benefit the church's food pantry.
Mission team member LisaAnne Gregg said the second annual event combined the soup and its ninth ping-pong tournament into one event, and capitalized on one of the biggest sports events in the world.
"The movement uses the energy of the Super Bowl to help end hunger across the country," Gregg said. The national Souper Bowl of Caring movement began in 1990 and aims to involve young people in volunteering and help end hunger in communities across the United States.
All donations made at Zion United Methodist's Souper Bowl went to beef up the church's food pantry, which Gregg said was being reestablished as a "bigger, better" pantry this spring.
"Sometimes the difference between hunger and getting through another day is a cup of soup," she said.
Gregg said the church, which has about 120 members, was happy to have members of other congregations attend the event and to help those in need.
Church member Ron Smith, who made a popular white chicken chili soup with cayenne pepper and a shredded pork with black bean soup, took the ping-pong championship trophy on Sunday.
Players ranged from 6 years old to 63 years old and played across three tables as about 50 people tried soups, homemade breads and hot dogs for lunch, as well as homemade desserts to cap off the meal.
While the numbers were small, Gregg said, the church hopes to continue to build the event and get more people involved to serve the community.
"For us, it's a great turnout. It's a chance to eat great food, play some games and come together for a good cause," she said.
For information about Zion United Methodist Church, visit www.ellistonzion.com/.
jdenton@gannett.com
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Twitter: @jessicadentonNH