Young Catholics from around Maine had two reasons to celebrate on Sunday, Feb. 3: a sixth world championship for the Patriots and a successful “Souper” Bowl of Caring, according to a news release from Dave Guthro, communications director for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland.
The event, held Feb. 2 and 3, saw young people collecting money and food items at several Maine parishes with 100 percent of the donations set for delivery to local charities that help tackle hunger in the community.
The volunteers collected more than $13,000 and hundreds of food items at weekend Masses.
The parishes, totals and beneficiaries were:
• St. Michael Parish, Augusta: $2,820 and boxes of food items for area soup kitchens, food pantries and shelters.
• All Saints Parish, Brunswick: $2,175 and boxes of food items to the Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program in Brunswick, Bath Food Pantry, the ecumenical food pantry in Newcastle, the Waldoboro Food Pantry, the Richmond Food Pantry and the Boothbay Region Food Pantry.
• St. Bartholomew Parish, Cape Elizabeth: $1,247.45 to Judy’s Pantry in Cape Elizabeth.
• St. Gregory Church, Gray: $695 to the Gray Community Food Pantry and the New Gloucester Food Pantry.
• Good Shepherd Parish, Saco: $4,328.60 to purchase sleeping bags rated for sub-zero temperatures for the homeless.
• St. Maximilian Kolbe, Scarborough: $1,247.45 to Scarborough Food Pantry.
• St. John & Holy Cross Parish, South Portland: $1,247.45 to South Portland Food Cupboard.
Since its inception in 1990, churches across America have raised well over $100 million for soup kitchens, food pantries, and other charities through the Souper Bowl of Caring.
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