Souper Bowl nets more than $2,000

Greg Hearn, right, and his son, Shannon, left, are served a hot bowl of minestrone soup from Salvation Army board member Twila Rutter.

Viki Lee, left, receives a door prize from Salvation Army Maj. Jim Gallop during the Souper Bowl's raffle.

The Salvation Army celebrated super bowl weekend Saturday by offering potato, green chile, minestrone and posole soups.

The fourth annual Souper Bowl netted $2,059, according to Salvation Army Maj. Jim Gallop. Gallop said last year's event raised $2,000 and the kitchen prepared more soup.

Gallop said the event continues to be more successful every year.

"This is a great way that people in the community can come to know us a little better," Gallop said. "By coming to get a bowl of soup, people can see what we do to help the people who are in need of help.

"This is an intimate approach. We try to get around and talk to the people and get a friendly handshake in, just give them a warm greeting to show them we're the Salvation Army and we're here to help."

Gallop said the primary goal is to make sure that people realize Salvation Army hosts events on other days besides Christmas and Thanksgiving. According to Gallop, the green chile and the posole were most popular. A silent auction allowed people to bid on prizes while eating.

Prizes included a skateboard, a motorized scooter, a facial from Clovis Day Spa, bikes for children ages 8 to 12, a New England Patriots lamp and a New York Giants banner and mug.

Twila Rutter, a Salvation Army board member, said the first Souper Bowl only offered three soups and there was no silent auction. She said the silent auction was added the second year.

"Last year we almost ran out of soup so this year we have a different mindset about it. This is just a fundraiser for our board to take action," Rutter said.

Dominic Chavez, owner of Superior Woods, a local craft and furniture design company brought his son Tiger and his daughters Sasha and Jasmin to enjoy a hot bowl of soup.

"I came down last year and it was a really good experience," Chavez said. "It kind of brings the community together and offers something positive to the community. It's an awesome thing. It's an awesome place to be."