JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – The Salvation Army hosted its annual soup fundraiser, “Bowls of Blessings,” formerly known as the “Souper Bowl,” at the Mississippi Trade Mart. The event featured gumbo, chili, and other soups, with all-you-can-eat servings included with a $25 ticket.
Organizers said the event was shifted away from the actual date of the Super Bowl to increase turnout.
“The reason we don’t do it on the actual day of the Super Bowl anymore is because we lose a lot of crowd,” President of Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Beth Hennington said. “We just felt it better if we moved it out a little bit.”
More than 50 volunteers worked the event, including culinary students from Clinton and Ridgeland High Schools. Local celebrities also participated.
Ridgeland High Culinary Student Gabrielle May said the experience was personally meaningful.
“To me, it makes me feel like a good person because I feel like I’m giving back to the community,” May said. “And like you see people smile everywhere just by eating food.”
Ticket sales and votes cast at the event go toward funding emergency shelter and financial aid for families in the Jackson metro area.
One attendee said community leadership drives participation.
“It starts with leaders,” Elizabeth Brunson said. “If the leaders show up, the rest will follow.”
The event provides both financial and personal support to those in need.
“Events like this help us get them from point A to point B with monetary and with love,” Brunson said. “Sometimes giving of your time is more important than giving of money, because sometimes the time can mentor a person.”
Want more WLBT news in your inbox? Click here to subscribe to our newsletter.
See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Please click here to report it and include the headline of the story in your email.
Copyright 2026 WLBT. All rights reserved.
