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Published by
International Orthodox Christian Charities,
March 10, 2005
Orthodox Strengthen "Souper
Bowl" Charity Effort |
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Baltimore (IOCC) – One month after the big game,
nearly 10,500 congregations and schools have
reported raising $3.75 million for charity through
the 2005 “Souper Bowl of Caring.” That number
includes more than 60 Orthodox parishes reporting
$34,206.
“We applaud everyone who used Souper Bowl Sunday
to step outside of themselves and help their
neighbors in need,” said the Rev. Dr. Brad Smith,
founder and executive director of the Souper Bowl
of Caring. “Once all the reports are in, we expect
to be over $4 million, which, after the tsunami
relief efforts, is quite an accomplishment.”
Young people across the country collected dollar
donations in large soup pots at their churches on
Feb. 6, and then donated the money to the charity
of their choice. Participating youth groups also
reported their collection amount to the Souper
Bowl of Caring headquarters so that a national
total can be tallied.
Groups that have not yet reported their results
are encouraged to do so at www.souperbowl.org or
by calling 1-800-358-SOUP.
Every year, International Orthodox Christian
Charities (IOCC) promotes the Souper Bowl of
Caring as a way for Orthodox young people to learn
the value of volunteerism and community service.
Orthodox youth help locally by collecting food
items for soup kitchens or food pantries, and
globally by send their monetary donation to
charities such as IOCC. By choosing IOCC, youth
groups support programs that feed and clothe
vulnerable children and educate and train young
people in 16 countries.
“Participating in the Souper Bowl gives our young
people a tangible way to help people in need –
close to home and abroad – and a feeling of
connection with those served by IOCC,” said Fr.
Marc Vranes, pastor of Holy Trinity Orthodox
Church (OCA) in Willimantic, Conn.
On Souper Bowl Sunday, the young people of Holy
Trinity raised $531 toward the humanitarian
mission of IOCC and assembled 100 “Gift of the
Heart” health kits for IOCC’s tsunami relief
efforts.
Founded in 1992, IOCC is the official humanitarian
aid agency of the Standing Conference of Canonical
Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA).
For media inquires, please contact IOCC
Communications Associate Stephen Huba at
1-877-803-4622 or
shuba@iocc.org.
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