February 12, 2019
 
PORTLAND---Young Catholics from around Maine had two reasons to celebrate on Sunday, February 3: a sixth world championship for the Patriots and a wildly successful “Souper” Bowl of Caring.
The event, held on February 2-3, saw young people collecting money and food items at several Maine parishes with 100% of the donations set for delivery to local charities that help tackle hunger in the community.
The young people collected over $13,000 and hundreds of food items at weekend Masses. The parishes, totals and beneficiaries (listed by city/town) 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.