Super Bowl party for the homeless Sunday in Toms River
TOMS RIVER - Some very special guests will enjoy food, fellowship and fun at a Super Bowl party for those experiencing homelessness on Sunday in Toms River.
It's the fourth annual "Super Soul" Super Bowl party to be held in Ocean County, and its sponsored by One Ocean County, an organization founded by Orthodox Jewish community activists that works to build bridges between people of different cultures and faiths.
The party will be held at Urban Air Adventure & Trampoline Park, 1256 Indian Head Road, starting at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, and will include gift bags, nourishing food and TVs to view the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs in the big game. Sponsors include the Jewish Federation of Ocean County and the Rotary Club of Toms River.
Toms River party organizer Avi Kotler said a $100 Visa gift card, a $35 gift card for AMC movie theaters, and several Wawa gift cards will also be given away. A grand prize of an overnight trip to New York City, along with cash to attend a city attraction, will also be available for party attendees.
New this year, Kotler said, are local agencies and service providers, including STEPS (Solutions to End Poverty Soon) of Lakewood, who will be on hand to assist anyone looking for resources. Mental health counselors will also be available.
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Super Soul parties for the Super Bowl are the brainchild of Meir Kay, a New York filmmaker and social media influencer. Kay said he was inspired to start the event after an encounter in New York in 2017.
On a freezing cold night, Kay said he saw a man holding a cardboard sign that read: "I don't want food. I don't want a drink - I just want someone to talk with."
Kay connected with the man by giving him attention, care and a hot meal.
“That experience changed my perspective on the world,” Kay said. “I knew I needed to let my fellow humans who are experiencing homelessness know that they are not alone, they are seen and to bring that awareness of the issue to local communities."
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What started as one Super Soul party in New York has grown to dozens of parties in various U.S. cities, including San Francisco, Stamford, Conn., Bozeman, Montana, Winston-Salem, N.C., and Toms River.
Learn more about Super Soul parties in the video below:
"It’s not about football,” Kay said. "This is about seeing the overlooked; engaging with the ignored. These are not mere Super Bowl parties that you are familiar with; this is about lifting the soul with camaraderie and dignity.”
Hanes contributes "dignity bags" to attendees, including socks and sweatshirts, and the company is actually sponsoring the Super Soul party in Winston-Salem, where its headquarters is located.
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Kay said Super Soul Parties is repositioning itself this year to directly support the mental health of those experiencing homelessness year-round, not just on Super Bowl Sunday. To do this, the project is focused on strengthening key locations so it can establish a sustainable organization and present the Super Bowl party as one of many dignity building events throughout the year.
In Toms River, Kotler is seeking volunteers to help serve food, distribute gift bags and mingle with those experiencing homelessness. To volunteer, email Kotler at avi@oneoceancounty.com.
For more information about Super Soul Party or to get involved or make a donation, visit https://supersoulparty.org/.
Jean Mikle covers Toms River and several other Ocean County towns, and has been writing about local government and politics at the Jersey Shore for nearly 38 years. She's also passionate about the Shore's storied music scene. Contact her: @jeanmikle, jmikle@gannettnj.com.
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This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Super Bowl party for homeless set for Toms River NJ
