Souper Bowl of Caring

Following up on the very successful “Feed the Need Food Drive” hosted by the Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. (JJMHVC), the chapter is back in action with a new food drive to benefit Fred’s Pantry x CHHOP. This time the JJMHVC Father’s Auxiliary is organizing the “Souper Bowl of Caring” food drive. The “Souper Bowl of Caring” is a national youth-inspired movement that tackles hunger in local communities.  This food drive is a continuation of the service to the community  that was done in January during the “Feed the Need Food Drive”, which was held for Fred’s Pantry in honor of the Martin Luther King Day of Service. The food drive  provided 2,700 pounds of yellow rice, dried beans and potatoes.

”We are trying to address food insecurity in the area,” says Kevin Cousins, JJMHV Father’s Auxiliary Chair.  “The “Souper Bowl of Caring” is a follow-up to the earlier food drive. We are doing this one online to  have a greater reach. We chose CHHOP because we already have a relationship with them.”

According to its mission statement, Jack and Jill of America, Inc.,  is a membership organization of mothers with children ages 2 – 19 dedicated to nurturing future African-American leaders by strengthening children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving and civic duty. Even though it’s a mom’s organization, dads are there as a valuable support system.

“Our Fathers’ Auxiliary Group play a vital role in collaboratively achieving the mission of Jack and Jill,” says De-Angela Watt, President of the Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter. “With their active involvement and staunch support of our programming they truly represent fatherhood at its best.” 

The Souper Bowl of Caring food drive was held entirely online during the month of February. Fred’s Pantry coordinator, Arthur Holmes, gave the organization a list of five soups that are favored by its clients --- Homestyle Chicken Noodle, Beef Barley Vegetable, Vegetable Soup, Chunky Sirloin Burger, Chicken and Rice — all from Campbell’s.

 A link was set up on Amazon so that donors can simply go to the site, select a case of soup and have it sent directly to Jan Peek House. From there the soups will be delivered to Fred’s Pantry.  Cousins notes that it may not even cost anything to make the donation as it may be possible to use points accrued on the site to pay for the soup.

The  group donated 127 cases of soup, which is over 1,500 cans of soup. “Food insecurity is a real and serious problem,” concludes Cousins. “We encourage finding the time to help others. With little effort, you can feed many and you’ll feel good doing it."