Souper Bowl of Caring tackles hunger

(KXAN) Austin - While the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints prepare for Super Bowl XLIV , Central Texas residents are tackling hunger through the Souper Bowl of Caring , with more than $51,000 and 198,000 pounds of food collected since the program kicked off on Jan. 13.

H-E-B, Central Market and Randalls Food Markets have teamed up with Austin’s leading television networks, local radio stations, as well as other large organizations to help nourish hungry Central Texans during the Souper Bowl of Caring Central Texas.

Young people from more than 100 area congregations and schools will also conduct collections of money and food as well as volunteer in the local community.

The goal for Central Texas this year is to raise food and money to provide 750,000 meals to meet the rising need of food assistance in the community.

Most of the donations will benefit the Capital Area Food Bank , which serves more than 350 hunger relief agencies in 21 Central Texas counties. With the cash and food collected so far, the Capital Area Food Bank is able to provide more than 333,000 meals for hungry Central Texans.

“Only through Souper Bowl of Caring do all local media, and H-E-B, Central Market and Randalls, put competition aside and join together for a common goal: to nourish our hungry neighbors,” said David Davenport, President & CEO of the Capital Area Food Bank. “Our hope is that this incredible act of generosity and leadership will inspire our community to collectively believe that hunger is unacceptable, and act upon it by advocating, donating, and volunteering.”

Partners in the Central Texas initiative join more than 16,000 congregations, schools, civic clubs and businesses that have signed up to participate as part of the nationwide Souper Bowl of Caring effort to transform Super Bowl weekend into the nation’s largest youth-led weekend of giving and serving.

“For over 20 years, young people have led this national movement of compassion raising more than $60 million for soup kitchens, food banks and other charities,” said Ron Goch, Executive Director of Souper Bowl of Caring. “Together, we all can make a difference through this effort. I hope everyone in the Central Texas community will find a way to give and serve.”

Shoppers who purchase bags for donation or make a cash donation at an H-E-B, Central Market or Randalls register will also get a free ticket to an Austin Toros home game with the purchase of a regular ticket when they show their receipt at the Austin Toros box office through Feb. 3.

Organizations can register to host a Souper Bowl of Caring Food and Fund Drive here .