TYLER (KYTX) - The Super Bowl may be over, but the "Souper Bowl" is just getting heated up, collecting soup and other food for the hungry in East Texas.
It's an event by People Attempting to Help" or PATH. Tyler students are competing to raise the most pounds of food.
Douglas Elementary has collected about 2,200 cans, which may help them win the can-collecting competition.
The students are showing that they may be small, but they can still make a big impact.
"We have raised enough canned goods to feed the hungry and give to orphans who don't have any food," said Briannia Crowe, a 3rd grade student at Douglas.
Crowe and her classmates have been collecting cans since January.
"Look at all the cans we have packed," she says, pointing to boxes. "We have packed a lot of cans."
5th grader Alishia Henry helped pack lots of those cans into dozens of boxes, and is more than happy with what she and her classmates accomplished.
"It makes me feel good inside for helping other people," Henry says.
PATH Coordinator Becky Duncan says the children do an amazing job collecting soup and other canned food year after year.
"The kids have gotten into the competition of it, because we do give a most valuable player award."
Duncan says by donating cans to PATH, these students may be helping the classmate right beside them.
"Many of these children may be the very children whose family comes to PATH," she said.
PATH says with the economy the way it's been, people are finding themselves needing more help than ever before.
Duncan says, "Any one of us in a 2 month period of time could be the very people who are coming to PATH or any other food pantry."
This year, thousands of cans will be collected, all thanks to kids working to making a difference.
Crowe says, "It just makes you feel great for what you have done."
PATH is going around to schools Tuesday and Wednesday, collecting cans and delivering them to those who need it most.
Along with bragging rights, the winning school gets a plaque. But the Souper Bowl is not over yet! The cans will be weighed Thursday at 4:30.
