Churches’ goal: Feeding the hungry

For some Valley churches, Super Bowl weekend has nothing to do with football. Instead, it’s all about helping the hungry.

Several churches are participating in the annual Souper Bowl of Caring, collecting $1 from church members to donate to a local charity. It’s a national effort that began in 1993 and raised nearly $10 million the last two years. Church youth from around the country collect donations and report the amount, but the donations stay in the community where they are collected.

•Zion Lutheran Church, 8304 E. Buckeye Ave., will collect money and cans of food at the 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. worship services Sunday. Those attending services are also invited to wear their favorite sports team’s T-shirt or sweatshirt. The donations will be given to the Hillyard Food Bank run by St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.

•Youth will have soup pots in hand collecting cash donations after the 10:30 a.m. service Sunday at the Veradale United Church of Christ, 611 N. Progress Road. The collection will benefit the Spokane Valley Food Bank.

•The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, 15319 E. Eighth Ave., will collect money for the Interfaith Hospitality Network at the 8, 9 and 10 a.m. services on Sunday.

•Peace Lutheran Church, 4124 N. Harvard Road, will collect donations for the Spokane Valley Food Bank after the 9:30 a.m. service on Sunday.

•Opportunity Presbyterian Church will do things a bit differently by throwing a potluck Super Bowl party for those interested in watching the game at 3 p.m. Those attending are asked to bring a main dish or dessert to share. Soup pots will be passed around during half-time to collect donations for the Interfaith Hospitality Network.

Pastor swap

The pastors of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and St. Mary’s Catholic Church will be switching places Sunday to preach at each other’s church. The Rev. John Steiner will lead the 9:30 a.m. service at Good Shepherd, 810 S. Sullivan Road, while the Rev. Matt Larson will preach at the 7:30, 9 and 10:45 a.m. Masses at St. Mary’s, Fourth Avenue and Adams Road.

Super Bowl

The Spokane Valley Church of the Nazarene will host its annual Super Bowl party Sunday beginning at 2 p.m. The gathering is intended only for adults and teens interested in watching the game on the church’s high-definition big-screen television. There will be food and prizes. The church is at 15515 E. 20th Ave.