Soup Fundraiser Supports Annapolis Homeless Shelter During Super Bowl Week

ANNAPOLIS, MD — A Super Bowl-themed soup fundraiser is collecting money for an Annapolis homeless shelter.

The virtual drive, called the SOUPer Bowl, hopes to raise $2,000 for The Light House - A Homeless Prevention Support Center. The initiative has generated more than $37,000 since it started in 2007.

Heritage Baptist Church organizes the annual event, which usually concludes with a Super Bowl day lunch for The Light House. For a second straight year, the Annapolis church moved the fundraiser online because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“The Light House needs our help now more than ever,” Heritage Baptist Pastor Scott Shelton said in a press release. “COVID-19 has made the work they do even more challenging. We did not want to pass up this opportunity to help, so we are continuing the SOUPer Bowl tradition online.”

The Light House serves 2,000 community members in a typical year. That number has ballooned by more than 40 percent during the two years of the pandemic. The shelter continues to serve hundreds of people daily with fresh meals, clothing and case management.

“As The Light House continues to serve a record number of vulnerable individuals and families, we need the support of our community more than ever,” Light House Executive Director Jo Ann Mattson said. “Together, we can provide vital homelessness prevention and support services to as many struggling neighbors as we possibly can."

The 16th Annual SOUPer Bowl kicked off on Sunday, Feb. 6. It will continue through Sunday, Feb. 13. The drive's website also includes soup recipes from these community leaders:

• Del. Shaneka Henson: District 30A delegate in the Maryland General Assembly
• Andrew Parks: Restaurant owner
• Chef Shannon Costello: Registered dietitian nutritionist, culinary coach, blogger
• Tom O'Leary: Owner of Chevy's Annapolis, finalist on NBC's "Baking It" cooking show
• Chef Zachary Pope: Co-founder of the SOUPer Bowl, noted local cook
• Jared Littman: Owner of K&B True Value
• Brian Shallcross: General manager of the Bowie Baysox

"We are deeply grateful to Heritage Baptist Church and their partners for supporting our mission each year,” Mattson said. “Our small but mighty organization is a place where neighbors help neighbors and this thoughtful event embodies that spirit.”

Anne Arundel County residents can donate at heritageloves.com/souper-bowl-2022. The Light House will receive 100 percent of the money.

For more information on the fundraiser, locals can call the church at (410) 263-6680 or email SOUPer Bowl coordinator Lea Hurt at news@heritageloves.com. Visit annapolislighthouse.org to learn more about the shelter.

The Los Angeles Rams (12-5) face the Cincinnati Bengals (10-7) in Super Bowl LVI on Sunday. NBC will air the game nationally at 6:30 p.m. from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

RELATED:

• Annapolis Shelter Earns $20K Grant To Serve Unhoused Residents
• Homeless Shelter Wins $25K Grant To Help Unhoused Residents
• Homeless Shelter Gifted 180K Masks, 50K Gloves To Fight Pandemic
• Homeless Shelter Wins $20K Grant To Feed Hungry Residents
• Restaurant Supports Homeless Shelter, Reopens After Shutdown
• Boy, 7, Donates 900 Pounds Of Food To Annapolis Homeless Shelter
• Homeless Shelter Gifted Large Donation By Anonymous Resident

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