Souper Bowl Sunday occurs on the week-end of the NFL Super Bowl and is a fundraiser for the Franklin County Community Meals Program. This provides the means to fill their pantry shelves with cans of soups and stews during the coldest months of the year. They need our help more than ever. I 2009, they served 17,731 free meals across Franklin county and gave away enough food from the Orange Food Pantry to feed 13,750 people for 3 – 5 days each. In the Orange/Athol area particularly, the needs just continue to grow.

As in years past, All Souls church will participate with a special collection on February 7. A large kettle will be placed in a prominent place to hold your donations.

Additionally, on Saturday, February 6, volunteers from FCCMP will be at Foster’s and Stop & Shop in Greenfield, and Food City in Turners Falls from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. collecting cans of food and cash donations. They especially need cereal, soup, beef stew, and macaroni and cheese.