~Encourages the Entire Community to Gather Protein Food Items During Super Bowl Celebrations on February 7, 2010~

Wakefield, MA  (January 13, 2010) – The Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry (WIFP) is introducing a new initiative this winter to encourage everyone in the community to collect much needed protein food items to stock the pantry shelves during these tough winter months.

The Souper Bowl of Caring is a national effort to mobilize communities, especially the youth, to fight hunger in their cities and towns. The vision is to transform Super Bowl weekend – the first Sunday in February – into a huge effort to collect and donate money and food items, especially protein foods, during the weeks leading up to Super Bowl Sunday.

The leadership and staff at WIFP are asking businesses, churches and other organizations to offer special promotions to their clients and members to spark donations as well as to provide a place to drop off food items.  In addition, families and friends who host Super Bowl parties are encouraged to ask their guests to bring a couple of cans of food to the get-togethers on February 7, 2010 which can then be donated to the food pantry the following week.

Much like the Super Bowl athletes need protein and healthy foods to increase their competitiveness during the big game, clients of the WIFP need high protein foods to keep them healthy during the cold winter months.  Specifically, the pantry needs items such as: peanut butter, canned, hearty beef stews, healthy canned soups of all kinds, chili, tuna fish, small canned meats of turkey or chicken and canned hams.

WIFP wants to acknowledge three Wakefield businesses who have already promised their support to make The Souper Bowl of Caring a success:

Bak Chiropractic is holding a New Patient Invitation Week, February 1-6, 2010. In exchange for 5 cans of food, Bak Chiropractic will provide a health history, thorough exam, x-rays and personalized doctor’s report for only $35 (this is normally a $200 value).  In addition, the practice will host a Patient Appreciation Day on Monday, February 8, 2010 and will provide current patients with $5 adjustments in exchange for 5 cans of food.

Defensive Edge Martial Arts Academy and Pilates Fitness Studio have committed to act as collection sites for their members, students, friends, and families to drop off packaged, non-perishable protein food items to benefit the food pantry.

For more information about participating in The Souper Bowl of Caring at the Wakefield Interfaith Food email the WIFP at fooddrive@wifoodpantry.org,

The Wakefield Interfaith Food Pantry (www.wifoodpantry.org) is a Volunteer Organization committed to providing food items to Wakefield residents in need regardless of religious affiliation. WIFP provides non-perishable food items, supermarket gift cards for perishable items and referrals to other agencies for services and is located in the First Baptist Church in Wakefield, MA. Non-perishable food Items may be donated: Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 12 Noon and the Second Saturday of the month 9 a.m. to 12 Noon.  Food can also be dropped off at the Town Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each weekday year round. Please enter at the Lafayette Street entrance. Enter the hall at the left and leave food on the long tables in the hall. To arrange a different drop off time or if you have a very large donation (40 or more bags), please contact the food pantry at 781-245-2510.