Twenty-two years ago, two churches and the leadership of two men in the community came together to fight against hunger.

Sunday, 23 church sponsors, 21 corporate sponsors and more than 100 volunteers are coming together with the same goal of fighting hunger that Dr. David Klein and Bill Factor had 22 years ago.

“That first year we weren’t really sure if we were doing the right thing,” Factor said.

Apparently, he and Klein were doing the right thing. The year the event started, the two churches were prepared to feed 400 people, Factor said somehow they fed 500 and every person denied watering down the soup. After that first year, the duo assumed they were fulfilling a calling.

Since the first year, the luncheons have raised over $250,000 for organizations that feed the hungry, and grown to feed 1,000 to 1,400 people each year.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., community members are welcome at the ‘all you can eat’ soup event at the Ohio University Zanesville and Zane State Campus Center. Dine-in and carry-out options are both available.

Marcy White, a planning board member, said she wants as many people to participate as possible, but the organizers understand how busy people’s Sundays can get. Thus, they offer the carry-out option.

There are five beneficiaries of the SOUPer Bowl Benefit Luncheon: Muskingum County Center for Seniors, Fellowship of Christ’s Community, Salvation Army and Eastside Community Ministry.

All five of the benefiting organizations are dedicated to feeding people that are hungry within the community. While the organizations that benefit from the SOUPer Bowl have varied over the last 22 years, White said that for the past five years, or so, the organizations have remained the same.

White said that the participating churches come together because they feel it’s their duty as churches to help feed the hungry. In order to do that, churches sponsor and donate their time and support organizations who are dedicated to that common goal.

“Unfortunately, there are a lot of hungry people out there,” White said.

Four kinds of soup will be served: cheesy potato, tomato basil, chicken noodle and chili. Hot dogs, coney dogs and sloppy joes will be available, as well as homemade cookies by some of the women involved in the participating churches.

Many of the volunteers for the event come from various aspects of the community, White said. Anyone from schools up to city and county officials and even the mayor volunteer at the event.

While Factor said he and Klein are “getting tired,” the two men that started the whole thing are still heavily involved. Factor said his favorite part of the event is the ecumenical effect it has and the way it brings people together to work toward a common cause.

White said that for many years Mayor Jeff Tilton has been the carrier of soup from the kitchen to the serving area.

Whether for soup, support or to see the mayor volunteering to carry soup, everyone in the community is welcome at the event to help fight against hunger in the community.

Tickets are $5 for adults if purchased ahead of time, $6 at the door for adults and $4 for students and volunteers. Tickets can be purchased at any of the 23 sponsoring churches or at New Beginnings located at 1204 Brandywine Blvd.

Pay it forward tickets are also available. So, if a person is too busy or wants to help someone out who cannot afford a ticket, pay it forward tickets can be purchased.