Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools May/June 2015 | Page 8

Souper Bowl of Caring is huge success

Thanks to hundreds of Union County Public Schools staff and students,
the efforts to end hunger and homelessness in Union County recently got
a major boost.
Jenn Alexander, the Community Support Manager with the Union
County Community Shelter, thanked UCPS principals and staff recently
for raising $25,253 for the Souper Bowl of Caring.
Alexander said 2014 was the first year that the fundraiser moved into
the public school system. The total dollars raised last year for this event
was $17,000. Approximately $5,000 of that came from the school system.
This year, event organizers decided to raise their goal for the
campaign to $25,000.

UCPS principals were thanked recently for their fund-raising
efforts with the Souper Bowl of Caring. Pictured, from left, is
Marvin Elementary principal Lynn Cole, Weddington High School
principal Jonathan Bowers, UPS Superintendent Dr. Mary Ellis, Jenn
Alexander, the Community Support Manager with Union County
Community Shelter alexander, and Porter Ridge Middle principal Lee
Casey Jr.

“The schools alone broke that,” Alexander said. “I was floored. UCPS just
blew that out of the water. Thanks to UCPS, we are now at $40,000 for
the Souper Bowl of Caring.”
Several UCPS schools were highlighted at the principals’ meeting for
their fund-raising efforts. Weddington High School was the top giver;
raising $3,491.
“The students and staff of Weddington High School continue to
demonstrate their giving spirit no matter the cause,” said Weddington
High principal Jonathan Bowers. “Our student government spearheaded
this initiative and stepped up to meet the needs of our community. Time
and time again I am in awe of our student body’s commitment to service
and their willingness to be the agents of change.”
“I am so grateful to have Weddington High School on our team to end
hunger and homelessness in Union County,” Alexander said.
Other top givers in the Souper Bowl of Caring were Porter Ridge Middle,
Porter Ridge High, Weddington Middle, Cuthbertson High, Marvin
Elementary, and Wolfe School.
“I can’t tell you how life-changing these funds will be for those we
serve, including many families in the UCPS system who find themselves
homeless or hungry,” said Kathy Bragg, the shelter’s executive director.
“The number of food boxes we can prepare for families with hungry
children will be a great testament to these efforts as well.”
“I’m inspired by this community and how ‘sweet’ Sweet Union rea