{"id":26658,"date":"2026-02-20T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/?p=26658"},"modified":"2026-02-20T21:31:24","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T21:31:24","slug":"souper-bowl-of-caring-challenge-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/souper-bowl-of-caring-challenge-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"The Souper Bowl of Caring Challenge: Inspiring acts of love and service"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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By Todd Hammond<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLet us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds\u201d (Hebrews 10:24).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Northern Indiana District Churches of the Brethren recently wrapped up their second Annual Souper Bowl of Caring Challenge. This initiative encouraged congregations throughout the district to gather cans of soup to aid the hungry, over a period of time spanning six and a half weeks from Christmas to Super Bowl Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soup collections were measured by the ounce, and participating congregations reported their totals weekly. Each congregation donated their collected soup to their local feeding program. The competition sparked enthusiastic participation and friendly rivalry, with some lighthearted banter shared among the congregations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last year, 11 congregations joined the Souper Bowl of Caring Challenge. District board chair Lauren Phipps designed the Souper Douper Trophy that was awarded to the Columbia City congregation for collecting an impressive 16,036 ounces of soup. Altogether, Northern Indiana District congregations amassed a remarkable 65,740 ounces\u2014or 513 gallons\u2014of soup to support those in need across Northern Indiana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year, 13 congregations\u2014about 40 percent of the district\u2014participated in the challenge. <\/strong>Weekly submissions kept the competition intense, with close results, unexpected turnarounds, and new contenders emerging throughout the event. The Agape congregation in Fort Wayne distinguished themselves as this year\u2019s champions, collecting 26,160 ounces (204 gallons) of soup. Columbia City, last year\u2019s winner, followed closely with 23,318 ounces. The Souper Douper Trophy will be presented to Agape by district executive Torin Eikler during a morning worship service in March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last year, the Agape congregation was inspired by the need, leading them to establish the Agape Little Food Pantry to serve the hungry in Fort Wayne. Andrew Lane, a member of Agape\u2019s Witness Commission and leader of their collection efforts, reflected, \u201cI never expected that God could use us to meet such a large need,\u201d echoing Jesus\u2019 words, \u201cWith God all things are possible!\u201d (Matthew 19:16).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, Agape has held an annual Soup Off competition for the last 15 years. People make their favorite soup recipe for a soup-themed potluck where church members \u201cvote\u201d for their favorite soup by tucking dollar bills into corresponding envelopes. The proceeds have always gone for witness\/outreach. This year, the congregation decided to buy soup for the Souper Bowl of Caring Challenge and took in $647\u2014more than any other year!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In total, the district collected an astounding 114,769.90 ounces of soup\u2014896.64 gallons\u2014surpassing last year’s total by 383.4 gallons and nearly doubling the previous year\u2019s efforts. The district celebrates the guidance of the Holy Spirit, as congregations inspired one another to acts of generosity and service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s totals:<\/strong>
Agape,<\/strong> 26,159.70 ounces, benefiting the Fort Wayne Free Food Pantries
Columbia City, <\/strong>23,317.65 ounces, benefiting Grace Lutheran Church Food Pantry
Creekside, <\/strong>11,139.40 ounces, benefiting Church Community Services (Elkhart)
Rock Run, <\/strong>10,130.15 ounces, benefiting the Window
Goshen City, <\/strong>10,019.00 ounces, benefiting the Goshen City Blessings Box
Union Center,<\/strong> 8,396.65 ounces, benefiting Open Door and the Center
Middlebury,<\/strong> 6,813.60 ounces, benefiting the Middlebury Food Bank
Prince of Peace<\/strong>, 5,036.95 ounces, benefiting Broadway Christian Parish
Nappanee,<\/strong> 4,377.00 ounces, benefiting FCDC and Open Door
Cedar Lake, <\/strong>4,039.00 ounces, benefiting St. Martin’s Soup Kitchen
Plymouth,<\/strong> 2,268.20 ounces, benefiting the Neighborhood Center
Crest Manor,<\/strong> 1,595.90 ounces, benefiting the Northern Indiana Food Bank
New Salem,<\/strong> 1,476.70 ounces, benefiting the Milford Food Bank
Total: 114,769.90 ounces of soup<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Todd Hammond is pastor of Agape Church of the Brethren in Fort Wayne, Ind.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Souper Douper Cup was awarded this year to Agape Church of the Brethren, represented by pastor Todd Hammond (at center). The small trophy given to Columbia City pastor and Annual Conference moderator-elect Dennis Beckner (at left) was a decoration atop Agape’s Tower O’Soup, awarded as a consolation prize to the runner up congregation. At right is district executive minister Torin Eikler.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Andrew Lane stacks cans of soup at Agape Church of the Brethren, winner of this year’s challenge.<\/em> (Photos provided by Todd Hammond.)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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The Agape Little Food Pantry was decorated by Andrew Lane, who has led the charge for the congregation\u2019s outreach at the Agape Church.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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———-<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find more Church of the Brethren news:<\/p>\n\n\n