Manchester Schools Raise Thousands for MACC Charities!

In 1990, the Souperbowl of Caring put a call out to young people to fight back against hunger in their communities. This took place around the time of the football extravaganza often associated with feasting, hence the play on the wording “Souperbowl”. In a time of national overeating, a small contingent of youth were working to put food into the mouths of those who needed it most. This quickly grew into a national movement and MACC Charities first joined the event in 1997.

In the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl, special collections are organized and the support raised goes directly to local hunger relief efforts. In Manchester, faith communities, businesses and various groups raise support for MACC Charities which provides food through a community pantry and kitchen. They also operate a homeless shelter, thrift shop and advocacy department, though the money raised from the Souperbowl of Caring directly supports their food services.

In 2015, a handful of Manchester schools joined the food fight to support the Souperbowl of Caring. Using small boxes with a hole to drop loose change, students collected their own money in January. The top three classes to collect the most change would win a special period of snacks with their principals. The participating schools were Center Nursery School, Sunshine Nursery School, Cornerstone Christian School and St. James School.

In total, the schools raised $3,741, with classes from Cornerstone, St. James and Center Nursery winning the top prizes. St James School raised $2,342.36, Cornerstone raised $1,236 and the top nursery school brought in $145 with the highest class in any of these schools bringing in $295.

This support will feed 311 families for an entire week each (averages based on a family size of four with the cost being offset by volunteer hours and food drives).

Local youth, from Pre-K through high school, made a direct impact on the lives of the hungry in our community. They saw a need and met it by putting their loose change into a small paper box. A small act of compassion grew into an event with tangible results. Next year, MACC Charities plans to call out to the other youth in Manchester as the Souperbowl of Caring approaches.

Want to help? You can get your very own change box by getting in touch with MACC Charities. The change box is a great tool for individuals, families and businesses who believe in “no child left hungry” in our community!

Let’s fight hunger. To learn more about the work of MACC Charities in the Greater Manchester area or to get your own change box, please visit www.macc-ct.org. To learn more about the Souperbowl of Caring, please visit www.souperbowl.org.