The annual Empty Bowls fundraiser for area food banks will continue, and is scheduled for Feb. 1 at Central Middle School, 725 Seventh St. in Columbus.
Since the previous organizing committee leaders announced a decision about a month ago to step aside and tackle other responsibilities and projects, others have stepped forward to ensure that the event will go on rather than be canceled.
Kelly Daugherty, executive director of the local Love Chapel food pantry, one of the event’s beneficiaries, recently organized a new group of volunteers.
But some previous volunteers also are part of the organizers.
Denise Engel, food donations coordinator, is among those.
“We are working hard to organize the event with our new steering committee,” Engel said.
Committee members will begin meeting at 5:30 p.m. most Tuesdays — except the week of Christmas and New Year’s — at Love Chapel at 311 Center St. in Columbus. Anyone wishing to help is welcome. Many volunteers will be needed. Food donation emails will go out soon, she said.
Organizers — cooks of soups, chilis, breads, and desserts, artists making homemade bowls, a small army of behind-the-scenes volunteers, students, musicians and others — made the event happen. Last year’s gathering raised more than $18,000 for pantries at Love Chapel, Horizon House homeless shelter, Community Center of Hope, Turning Point Domestic Violence Services, and Thrive Alliance.
Through the years, Empty Bowls has raised more than $200,000, according to organizers. Local artist 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.
Also, in some years, the event has included more than 100 volunteer cooks, coordinated most recently by local culinary instructor and chef Carrie Douglas.
Musical entertainment, including well-known local performers, has ranged from Americana/folk to jazz to blues and soul.
To volunteer: Sarah Sanders at [email protected]
