Super Bowl partygoers help fight hunger

CEDAR RAPIDS - Along with feasting on the usual gameday snacks, a northeast Cedar Rapids congregation used its Super Bowl gathering to help feed those in need.

Members of Northridge Christian Church, 7111 C Ave NE, came together for their second annual Super Bowl party, except this year they added a new tradition - collecting non-perishable items for a local food pantry.

“The idea is that we take just a moment to share a little bit of our abundance,” the Rev. James Cotten said. “It's a wonderful day to think about others, even as we're celebrating and having fun and watching the game and eating way too much.”

The congregation's actions were inspired by the national “Souper Bowl of Caring.” Cotten said the initiative was founded in the early 1990s by a group of young people who led a movement to help hungry and hurting people around the world. Cotton said his group is hoping to support that goal.

As partygoers came through the door, they deposited grocery bags full of donations in the collection bin - then added their contributions to the party's own grub platter.

Sporting a Green Bay sweat shirt and a cowboy-shaped cheese hat, church member Jo Anne Pruitt said she thought it was a great idea that the church decided to tie the food drive and party together.

The 50-year-old Marion resident said the church holds food drives during all the major holidays, and she was happy to participate in expanding the donation opportunities.