Super Bowl XLV is big; the Taste of the NFL is BIGGER

   The NFL's biggest game, Super Bowl XLV, will be played in Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.  This glitzy $1.3 billion dollar palace is home to the Dallas Cowboys and is the dream of Jerry Jones, the larger than life owner of the Dallas Cowboys.  All the beautiful people from entertainment and politics will be in attendance with an expected game attendance in excess of 100,000 and the game will be televised to millions around the world.  (As usual, my invitation to the festivities once again got lost in the mail.  I absolutely HATE when that happens.)  As big as the game is and as big and the pomp and circumstance around the game may be, the NFL actually throws a more important event, the Taste of the NFL.  This event is the NFL's effort to address the needs of the hungry and homeless by raising awareness and money through this event.  The event raises money each year and donates the proceeds to Feeding America affiliated food banks in the 31 NFL cities.  Since its inception in 1992, the Taste of the NFL has raised more than $10 million.  The Taste of the NFL's signature event, The Party With A Purpose, is held every Super Bowl eve.  This year's venue was the Ft. Worth Convention Center and drew a sold out crowd of 3,000.  A celebrity chef representing all 31 NFL cities will be on hand to prepare and serve up some fancy cuisine.  Current and former NFL players were on hand to take pictures and sign autographs for attendees.  This top flight soiree, sponsored by Cadillac and E & J Gallo Winery is expected to raise between $1.8 million to $2 million dollars itself. 
   According to Feeding America, there are approximately 37 million Americans today who are food insecure.  Food insecure simply means that 37 millions Americans on a daily basis have no idea where their next meal is coming from.  That’s nearly 10% of the total population of the United States of America.  Out of that 37 million, 14 million are CHILDREN and 3 million are seniors.  How can this be in the most prosperous country in the world?  Each week, 5.7 million people are fed by Feeding America affiliated food banks.  These are not people living on the public dole.  Thirty six percent (36%) of the households served through Feeding America have one or more working adults in the household with a below poverty level monthly income of $940.00.  The majority of these families each month have to choose between paying for shelter or buying food.  This is just CRIMINAL.  The NFL deserves much credit for rolling out the red carpet and supporting such a worthy cause.
   So while you and your crew are indulging and imbibing at your Super Bowl party of choice, take a minute and think about those who are less fortunate and are food insecure.  Those people would gladly exchange places with you.
   By the way, I like the Pittsburgh Steelers, led by their coach Mike Tomlin, to win the 7th Super Bowl in franchise history.
   Enjoy the game!

"Black and yellow, black and yellow, black and yellow ..."
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Craig Riggins
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