Dear Editor:

I am a friend of Boothbay Region Community Food Pantry. Like many people in the Boothbay Region, I am passionate about giving back to my community and making a positive impact in the lives of others.

As hard as it may be to believe, the problems of hunger and poverty exist right here on the Boothbay peninsula, and we often feel that as regular citizens, we can’t make a difference. But I write today to tell you that through the Souper Bowl of Caring, everyone in our community can help care for our neighbors in need.

Will you please help me invite all schools, congregations and businesses to take up a collection on or near Super Bowl Sunday? Every penny collected should be donated directly to the Boothbay Region Community Food Pantry. The Souper Bowl of Caring outreach will help show the impact our individual efforts have made as they keep a national tally and share it on their website.

The official Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday will take place on Sunday, Feb. 7, big game day for football fans. For 10 years, all of our community churches have participated by inviting their congregations to bring non-perishable food or money gifts to their church worship service on Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday. Together, this effort brings in one of the largest collections of money and food for the food pantry each year.

Everyone can get involved and find more information at www.souperbowl.org. Thanks for helping me share this wonderful idea. I will keep you posted on the results after Super Bowl Sunday!

Sue Burge

Boothbay