The Chiefs Get The Trophy But Community Members In Need Are the Winners

“The Souper Bowl was to donate to kids who can’t get enough food. We collected lots of cans, and it makes me feel good because I’m supporting kids who need it.”—Penny D., age 9

It was a national contest between the home team Forty-Niners and the Kansas City Chiefs. The game started off with a 0-0 tie, but the pace picked up as the teams traded the lead for the next three quarters—and well into the overtime period, where the new OT rules posed a challenge for the 49ers. Back home in Pasadena, High Point Eagles earned bragging rights for collecting a record 700 cans of hearty soups and stews, not to mention dozens of tins of Spam and even some smoked oysters! The folks at Friends in Deed, the local food bank, happily received the donation on behalf of hundreds of disadvantaged families. Third grade teachers Maria Salazar and Sarah Marble led the charge, as they organized their students into marketing teams and counting teams.

Vyom M., age 8, summed up the process: “We let everyone know to bring cans so they could vote for their favorite team. We also made posters. Afterwards we separated cans into five table groups and then put them into boxes. Each table group counted them. We got 378 cans for the 49ers and 322 cans for the Chiefs.”

Teacher Sarah Marble confirmed that Vyom’s count was spot on. “I am happy to report our community outreach for ‘Friends in Deed’ was a huge success! Thank you to all of you and your students for your donations. Our school is donating a lovely round number of 700 cans total. In my experience this is an all-time record and SO exciting! The numbers are reported as follows: Chiefs fans raised a total of 322 cans (sorry to the T Swift fans), and the 49ers fans raised a total of 378. This being said, our High Point community was slightly leaning toward the odds of aSan Francisco win on Sunday. Thank you again for helping provide our locals with a supply of food! The third graders had a wonderful time and thank you for your support.”

Eight-year-old Leo L. added: “The purpose of the Souper Bowl was letting people think about the teams and who would win. The Souper Bowl was also for people to donate cans to the team they wanted to win. We announced to the school who got the most cans. The kids were super excited that they could donate cans to people who need it. I was rooting for the 49ers. Then I thought they had finally won. They didn’t, but you can always have another chance to win.”

CeCe N., age 9, differed in explaining the goal of the Souper Bowl: “The object isn’t to think about the teams but to think about all the communities that need food. When I think about it, some people don’t have as much as we do, so it’s good to use the opportunity to help those in need. It was very kind of the school. When I watched the game on TV, I was rooting for the Forty-Niners. I was so excited, but the Chiefs won at the last minute. I felt really bad for the 49ers because they were really sad and mopey and glum. But I decided not to be sad after all.”

The Friends in Deed Food Pantry provides food assistance to low-income and no-income families in the greater Pasadena area. They are currently providing food to about 535 households per week. In addition to providing shelf-stable foods like canned goods, dry goods, juice, and cereal, one of their goals is to provide meat, other proteins, fresh fruits and vegetables, and foods that appeal to the diverse population in our community. When available, they also offer toiletries, diapers, formula, and pet food. Donations can be delivered on any Friday.

The Food Pantry

We All Deserve… Enough to Eat. The Food Pantry provides food assistance to low-income and no-income families in the greater Pasadena and Altadena areas. We are currently providing food to about 535 households per week, totaling approximately 1,200 people. This dynamic and compassion-driven program is the largest at Friends In Deed. Our Food Pantry is … Continue reading