On Sunday, Feb. 3, when millions of dollars are being spent on food and advertising for the big Super Bowl game, many families on our peninsula will barely have enough money to feed themselves.

As a result of this urgent community need, the Boothbay Region Food Pantry is again coordinating "The Souper Bowl of Caring" collection of money gifts and non-perishable food for distribution to needy people in our community. For eight years, our community churches have come together on the official Super Bowl Sunday to collect money and non-perishable food products to supply the food pantry.

On average, the number of families attending the pantry increases during each winter. Last year your food pantry served 232 families, comprising 530 family members, for a total of over 1,190 visits.

A number of our community’s churches are joining with us in supporting the pantry on Sunday, Feb. 3. Please take your food or monetary donations to your church, or, if you are not affiliated with a local church, bring them directly to the Congregational Church. Food pantry volunteers will be at the pantry to accept your donations on Sunday, Feb. 3 from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

Thank you for your consideration of this important outreach ministry. Any questions, feel free to call the food pantry phone, 350-2962 (leave a message) or email me at brfoodp1@gmail.com