Friendly wagers benefit Catholic Charities in Super Bowl cities

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Among the many wagers that will be made about the outcome of the Super Bowl, a local non-profit's friendly wager ensures a "win-win" for the organization.

Catholic Charities of Kansas City/St. Joseph has officially made a friendly wager with Catholic Social Services of Greater Philadelphia for Super Bowl 59.

Jody Breuer, senior director of development at Catholic Charities of Kansas City/St. Joseph said the consistent presence of the Chiefs in the big game has made this an exciting tradition of Catholic Charities.

"We had a similar wager with Catholic Charities of San Francisco last year," Breuer said, "and, of course, we benefitted from this wager with Philadelphia two years ago, when the Chiefs beat the Eagles in Super Bowl 57."

Kansas City/St. Joseph said if the Eagles win, they will send the staff at Catholic Social Services in Philadelphia a "Kansas City basket."

This will contain items like Kansas City Barbeque, sauce and other memorabilia associated with the Kansas City area.

Conversely, if the Chiefs win, items like Philadelphia Cream Cheese and Philly cheesesteak sandwiches will be headed to the Kansas City/St. Joseph offices.

Not only are both organizations excited about the friendly staff wager, but they are also both motivated by their respective bishops - the bishop of Kansas City/St. Joseph and the Archbishop of Philadelphia - who also have a friendly wager about the outcome of the game.

"Each bishop has put actual personal money to be donated to the other's organization based upon the outcome of the game," Breuer said.

Overall, both groups said, it has been fun collaborating, since that has been the nature of Catholic Charities nationwide from the beginning.

"We partner with other agencies to serve and meet the needs of the community," Breuer said. "We've been around since the 1800s. They've been around since the 1700s. So, there are many years of service between us, and this friendly wager gives us a chance to connect on other opportunities and ideas."

Regardless of the outcome, both agree that it is a "win-win" for each organization.

Of course, each is rooting hard for their own home team.