Lindenhurst High Hosts SOUPer Bowl of Caring Fundraiser and Resource Fair

Lindenhurst High School brought together students, parents, and community partners for the SOUPer Bowl of Caring, a family-focused fundraiser and resource fair that combined a chili cook-off and bake-off with a coat and nonperishable food drive and outreach services. Donations collected at the event were delivered to St. John’s Lutheran Church, and organizers staged a pick-up component so neighbors in need could “come on down and take what you need.”

The event blended celebration with direct service. Attendees sampled entries from Lindenhurst High School staff and student clubs, and public voting was encouraged; as Ilovebabylon put it, “All participants are welcome to sample the food, vote, and cheer on their favorite entries.” A raffle offered a BIG-SCREEN TV donated by Belfast GastroPub, with raffle entries earned by donating food, funds, or coats and by visiting community tables and attending workshops.

Organizers framed the gathering as a revival of a local tradition. Patch called it the “return of a beloved community tradition, the SOUPER Bowl of Caring,” and described the day as one that “brings together community partners and residents for a day focused on service, connection, and giving back.” Lindenhurst Community Cares, also known as Lindy Cares, collaborated with the School-Based Community Connectors Committee and local Helping Hands Committees from elementary school PTAs to plan children’s activities and strengthen outreach.

The resource fair featured community service tables, informational workshops, and prevention-education programming. Parents and caregivers were invited to network and attend sessions including a Hidden in Plain Sight Room, an interactive space focused on prevention education, community resources, and volunteer engagement. Families with younger children could register for a Connected Community Camp held in the gym; organizers urged advance registration via a QR code so supplies would be sufficient.

Scheduling details varied across listings: a Lindenhurst Union Free School District calendar entry listed “Souperbowl of Caring” on Feb. 7 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, while an Instagram post promoted activities “this Sunday February 8th before and after service.” Event announcements otherwise referenced a Feb. 7–8 time frame. Questions about the event were directed to lindycareslcc@gmail.com, and organizers used a QR code to collect registrations and share highlights from past years.

Public health and equity impacts were central to the event’s design. By pairing a food and coat drive with a resource fair and prevention education, Lindenhurst High School and its partners addressed immediate needs such as food insecurity and cold-weather preparedness while connecting families to local services and volunteer opportunities. That dual approach helps bridge gaps where formal safety net resources may be limited and makes basic supports more accessible in community settings.

For residents who missed this year’s event, organizers have left a roadmap for participation: donate nonperishable food or gently used coats, look for Lindy Cares outreach at future school events, or email lindycareslcc@gmail.com to learn how to volunteer or bring a resource table to the next SOUPer Bowl of Caring.