THE BUFFALO CITY MISSION AND VOLUNTEERS
MAKE IT A "SUPER" SUNDAY FOR HOMELESS MEN

"Soup or Bowl of Compassion" fundraiser and 20 donated sheet pizzas supported the Mission and brought joy to hundreds during the Super Bowl

BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Buffalo City Mission, local area churches and Roman Cafe in North Tonawanda recently made Super Bowl Sunday an extra special day for hundreds of Western New Yorkers who are homeless.

The Mission and dozens of local churches organized the "Soup or Bowl of Compassion" to raise money for the Mission's support programs. Prior to the game, volunteers of all ages held out a soup pot or bowl to collect a dollar from parishioners exiting their religious services. A number of youth volunteers from Amherst Baptist Church even dressed the part by sporting football jerseys. In total, the collections raised $2,000, and more donations are continuing to come in this month.

"We wanted to find a creative way for the community to remember the poor and homeless during the Super Bowl," said Aubrey Calhoun, director of community relations, Buffalo City Mission. "Many who stay at our shelters don't have the opportunity to share the game with family and friends, so we wanted to make the day a little more special for them."

During the game, the Mission hosted a Super Bowl party at the Men's Center chapel. More than 120 men watched the game on a big screen television and enjoyed a special treat - 20 sheet pizzas donated by Larry Huttenmaier, owner of the Roman Cafe in North Tonawanda. "Everyone came together to make Super Bowl Sunday a very enjoyable day for the men at the center," said Calhoun.

The Buffalo City Mission, founded in 1917, is a not-for-profit organization that provides preventative, emergency and long-term recovery services to thousands of people who are homeless or impoverished. The Mission includes: Cornerstone Manor Women and Children Shelter; the Men's Center; the Mission Motors Vehicle Donation Program; and Second Chances Thrift Store. For more information, please visit www.buffalocitymission.org or call 716-854-8181.