COLUMBUS, Ind. — A revised, drive-thru 23rd Annual Empty Bowls soup-and-chili fundraiser for six area food pantries and shelters is close to topping last year’s record total. The current, growing total stands at more than $20,000 with about 400 meals served.
“This was a whole different scenario,” said Richard Boyce, one of the organizers, about the revamped Feb. 20 event — because of COVID-19 — at Donner Center. “We started meeting eight months ago. And we didn’t make the determination as to whether we were going to go ahead and actually do this until November.”
Plus, organizers had to install a new computer software to record online orders, and had to employ another to handle the silent auction. Plus, they were operating with only about half as many volunteers as in 2020, just before the pandemic.
Last year’s event at the Central Middle School cafeteria, with live music and more, raised $21,400.
Boyce reported the latest details recently in an emailed note to a volunteer team.
“Everyone should take a little time tonight and congratulate yourselves on a job well done,” he wrote.
For the complete story, see Sunday’s Republic.
