Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Super Bowl may be in a couple of weeks, but the “Souper Bowl of Caring” is already nearing overtime, and organizers are making a final push for support as the annual event nears its completion.

“We challenged the churches to raise money for hunger initiatives and offers a replica Super Bowl trophy to the winner. Last year it went to First Christian Church,” said Jim Reed, who pastors Asbury United Methodist Church and is chaplain of the Eagle’s Wings Board of Directors.

Reed said the first major change in this year’s event is that two trophies will be offered: one for congregations with fewer than 100 people in average worship attendance, and the second for churches with more than 100. He said every penny raised by participating groups stays in the area and goes to either Eagle’s Wings or the food bank of the donor’s choice. Results will be tallied the week after the Super Bowl, once participating groups call Eagle’s Wings to give the church name, size and the amount of money they raised.

The second change is the addition of “Overtime.” Donations will still be accepted after the fundraising drive officially ends on Super Bowl night. That extra time will be available until the next Friday.

Participating churches can choose to have their totals included in the national tally for the Souper Bowl of Caring. The national event has raised more than $170 million since 1990 for local hunger relief outreaches.