S(o)uper Bowl Food Drive To Return In February

Since 2018, the Severna Park-based nonprofit Good Neighbors Group has brought neighborhoods together for a friendly competition that benefits the community during the weekend of the Super Bowl. From the Thursday before the game to Super Bowl Sunday, S(o)uper Bowl participants gather as much food as they can to stock local food pantries, competing to see which neighborhood can donate the most. This year’s donations will be dropped off at the end of the competition, from 11:00am-1:00pm on February 8.

Each donated item is worth one point except for diapers, formula and Enfamil drinks, which are worth five. Because participating neighborhoods can vary in size from communities with four homes to communities with over 1,000, neighborhoods compete in categories including “Most Items Per House” and “Most Improved” in addition to the most total points.

During the first S(o)uper Bowl eight years ago, 12 neighborhoods participated. The event has grown a lot since then. Last year, participants in 55 neighborhoods donated over 18,500 items.

“It's easy to make this an immediate success because every little bit adds up to a victory for the hardworking pantries,” said Kathie Hamlett, who organizes the S(o)uper Bowl.

This year, Good Neighbors Group hopes to exceed 70 participating neighborhoods. Many of the neighborhoods that collected a high total of goods last year — including Round Bay, West Severna Park, Bay Hills and Ulmstead Estates — have already confirmed their participation again. Hamlett hopes that neighborhoods that have never competed will join the event as well.

“Many new neighborhoods have been established in Severna Park, Pasadena and Arnold and we would love to include everyone,” Hamlett said.

The S(o)uper Bowl helps restock food pantries after shelves have been depleted during the winter holidays. Six food pantries have already confirmed their involvement: Anne Arundel County Food Bank, Asbury Community Assistance Network (ACAN), Open Hands of Maryland, SPAN (Serving People Across Neighborhoods), The Caring Cupboard and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church pantry.

“This is a great way to meet new neighbors and help the community at large,” Hamlett said.

Each neighborhood must have a captain who can publicize the event and establish a neighborhood collection spot. Participants are also encouraged to take fun photos and send them to Good Neighbors Group. To get your neighborhood involved, email souperbowl@goodneighborsgroup.org.