The Big Game Party That Now Feeds Thousands of Homeless

Super Bowl Sunday is one of the biggest food days of the year. Parties overflow with drinks, food, and camaraderie. It is a day everyone should get a chance to enjoy. Now because of one person at one Super Bowl party, thousands of homeless people have also had a chance to enjoy the festivities.

On Super Bowl Sunday of February 2017, on the way to a Super Bowl party at a club in New York City, Meir Kalmanson met six homeless people, while waiting for an Uber. He invited to hop in and join him. At first, the six men had been cautious but were ultimately swayed by Meir’s calm nature and the lure of food, somewhere fun, and a chance to watch the game. Into the Uber, they all went and were on the way.

In New England Patriots jerseys, Kalmanson and his homeless guests watched the Patriots rally from a 25-point deficit to beat the Atlanta Falcons. They celebrated over burgers, wings, and sodas. Kalmanson described the scene as “warm, exciting energy. Conversation flowed. We were on the edge of our seats. Cheering, laughing.”

“We were part of a bigger party that was happening,” says Kalmanson. “So if you walked in you couldn’t tell who was homeless and who wasn’t.” Because of this, “the men felt that they were part of something. They had their dignity restored.”

For the first time in a long time, the six homeless men were able to forget their circumstances and no longer feel like they were on the outside looking in. Meir also known as Meir Kay a YouTuber who at the time had 319,000 subscribers who watched this inspirational video. Despite the popularity of the video, he thought the party was a one-time happening but the following year he learned he was the only one who thought that. His subscribers as well as family and friends began to ask him about the next party and if he would be doing the same this year.

Since that fateful Super Bowl party the parties have grown and evolved, becoming an event now. Vendors at the events provide free services to the homeless including clothing, a barber, mental health services, and even affordable family housing services. Families in need are also welcome now.

The Super Soul parties have become more than just a fun party/sporting event. They have helped to shine a light on the homeless community while also making them feel at home and part of the community.

It’s all in how Kalmanson was raised. Doing good for others was nothing new to him. Coming from a devout Jewish family he grew up in a family that lived by one golden rule, “helping those in need, whether it was a meal or a place to stay,” he says. “It’s the most important thing in life: Be kind, be kind, be kind.”