‘Souper Bowl Party’ targets homeless

This is a wonderful community service event. Why not try this in our communities?

By Mark Maynard,The Ashland Daily-Independent

The City of Ashland is hoping the combination of the Super Bowl and reaching out to the community is a winner on Sunday.
The inaugural Community Souper Bowl Party will take place at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the Bus Depot.
City Commissioner Marty Gute participated in a similar activity in Lexington last year and wondered to himself, “Why not Ashland?”
So with the help of churches, outreach groups and businesses, he has put together an event to benefit the homeless and disadvantaged in the area.

“The target group is mainly those who frequent The Neighborhood,” Gute said. “With the recent death of the homeless man under the bridge, it kind of brought an awarenss.”
Big Sandy Superstores have donated the use of a big screen television to watch Super Bowl XLVI between the New York Giants and New England Patriots. Walmart, Kroger and chef Andy Moore have offered other food donations. Moore is providing chili and grilled cheese sandwiches, Gute said.
Guests will be treated to food and given other items, Gute said. Then, he said, they are welcome to stay and enjoy the game on the big screen.
“We’ve had a lot of people wanting to volunteer and help out,” he said. “We have people from all walks of life who are willing to serve food or hand out articles of clothing.”
Gute said last year his son invited him to a similar event hosted by the Elkhorn Baptist Association in Lexington. He unloaded cars loaded with clothing and nonperishable food items. While doing that, he thought the same thing could be done here.
He said City Manager Steve Corbitt suggested using the Bus Depot as the venue for the party.
“That was the perfect place to have it,” Gute said. “We’re thankful they’ve opened the doors for us.”
The event is free and something Gute hopes will be an annual event in Ashland.
“We think it can be something special that will help a lot of people,” he said.