The reborn Empty Bowls, the food pantry, soup-and-chili fundraiser that nearly died last fall, returned with gusto Feb. 1 to attract 500 people — about 200 more than last year — and raise $17,000 for the cause, according to organizers.
And they confirmed that it will continue.
“Already looking forward to the 23rd year — Empty Bowls 2021,” said Richard Boyce, a part of the organizing committee.
Some of the new organizers were somewhat concerned three months ago about having enough time to get the event sufficiently together. But the gathering at the Central Middle School cafeteria ended up with the support of about a dozen local churches while benefiting six local food pantries and shelters, which is one more than before: 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.
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“This was great,” said Denise Engel, another member of the organizing committee who was part of the previous set of organizers. “I am very impressed (with the result).”
Kelly Daugherty, executive director of Love Chapel, was among the first to publicly step up and help save the fundraiser when, within days of the cancellation of the event, he organized a meeting of people willing to try to save it. Many of the previous organizers, who had given large segments of volunteer time over the years to put it together, announced in October that they were involved in other activities and could not coordinate another Empty Bowls.
“I’m tickled to death,” Daugherty said. “It looked like the event was going away. And I knew the previous organizers had worked very hard over the years to do it.
“And I just thought this event was way too important to the community to see it go. Plus, it always has been a positive way to highlight the needs of the hungry.”
Daugherty referred to everything from the event’s artsy, creative handmade bowls by some of the area’s finest artisans and student potters to live music — this year by local band Black Tie Optional — that has made Empty Bowls something of a recurring celebration of compassion and love for the struggling.
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 total, 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.
