Soup’s on for Empty Bowls on Feb. 20

Chris and Christy Henderson select a handmade bowl for their meals at the Empty Bowls fundraiser at Central Middle School last year.

Even amid a pandemic, soup’s on for The 23rd Annual Empty Bowls.

The soups-chilis-dessert key fundraiser for area food banks will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 20 at Donner Center — with a drive-through service in order to keep people safe from the COVID-19 virus, according to organizers.

An event website will be launched soon allowing diners to order their food beforehand and pay in advance by credit card, said Richard Boyce, one of the event coordinators. The site also will include a silent auction of 20 varied gift baskets for diners to bid on.

“The need has never been greater for the food banks in Bartholomew County, and donations are desperately needed to keep up supplies during the coming months,” Boyce said.

Organizers recently have been soliciting for event sponsors and volunteers. That support helps the event committee keep costs low and allows most of the proceeds to go directly to the cause of fighting hunger.

Last year’s Empty Bowls attracted 500 people at the Central Middle School cafeteria and raised $21,400 while benefiting six local food pantries and shelters: Horizon House, Thrive Alliance, Turning Point Domestic Violence Services, The Salvation Army, Community Center of Hope food pantry and the Love Chapel food pantry and Brighter Days emergency shelter.

Though the event was nearly canceled a few months beforehand, the end result made it one of the most successful Empty Bowls in the gathering’s 22-year history.

Through the years, Empty Bowls has raised more than $200,000 total, according to organizers. Local sculptor Robert Pulley launched the event, a spinoff of a national push to fight hunger, via the Columbus Peace Fellowship. Some years, such as in 2011, more than 1,000 people have attended.

Its foundation includes a variety of local artists and students making bowls of all shapes and sizes for the event. The bowls are then purchased by diners as part of the fundraising. The soups, chilis, breads, desserts and more are made by volunteers.

The event also always has included live music ranging from local bands to entertainment from Bloomington or Indianapolis.