Money is expected to flow into soup pots around the county Sunday as local congregations celebrate the Souper Bowl.

As the country turns its attention towards the game between the Steelers and Cardinals, more than a quarter of a million teens nationwide are working to transform the celebration into the nation’s largest youth-led weekend of giving and serving through the Souper Bowl of Caring.

Joining the nation’s youth effort will be local teens, as they collect canned goods and money. All of the items collected will go to local charities.

At the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, each year youth do a canned food drive and collect monetary donations, according to Ministries Coordinator Huger Caughman.

“Our youth hold soup pots beside each of the doors to the church to collect money,“ explains Caughman. “The canned goods go to Manna House.“

At Wightman United Methodist Church in Prosperity, the youth also use soup pots for their collections.

At Saint Luke’s, the congregation puts money into soup pots before enjoying a soup lunch after the worship service.

This is the first time for 13-year-old Cassie Sansbury to help with the project, and she says, “I like knowing I am helping other people.“

In addition to taking up money for the cause this Sunday, Sansbury was in charge of making the announcement about the collection last Sunday at Trinity United Methodist Church.

Souper Bowl of Caring started with a church group in Columbia in 1990 when a young minister prayed, “Lord, even as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us be mindful of those without even soup to eat.“ From that prayer, the Souper Bowl of Caring was born, and more than $50 million has been raised nationwide.

“For two decades, young people have been setting the standard for compassion and service through the Souper Bowl of Caring,“ said Rev. Brad Smith, founder and executive director of the event. “Now, more and more people across the country are catching on and joining this amazing effort.“

Last year, 14,500 organizations collected more than $10 million and every penny went back into those communities through local organizations that help people in need. Souper Bowl of Caring organizers expect this year to be bigger than ever, with young people from 17,000 congregations, schools and civic clubs signed up to participate.

The event allows youth to learn about the realities of hunger in their own neighborhoods and is turning one of the nation’s universal times of celebration and parties into an opportunity to care for those in need.

“Imagine the impact we could make if the 100 million Americans who tune in to the big game gave just $1 each to help someone in need,” Smith asks. “I hope everyone will follow the lead of these young people and get involved this year.“