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.
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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.
“Oh, that makes me so happy,” said Sandy Allman, another of the organizers.
Empty Bowls features a variety of volunteers making soups, chilis, breads and dessert to be sold to diners. Plus, local potters and other artisans make creative, homemade, take-home bowls sold with many of the meals. The in-person event also has included a wide range of live entertainment.
In an interview, Boyce added that he labels the latest gathering “a tremendous success.”
He also said that donation collection probably will extend until March 27.
“We still expect more money coming in,” Boyce said.
The six food pantries and shelters who will receive the proceeds are Love Chapel, Horizon House homeless shelter, Community Center of Hope, Turning Point Domestic Violence Services, Columbus Salvation Army and Thrive Alliance.
Through the years, Empty Bowls locally 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.
Five hundred people attended the 2020 gathering, which was one of the larger crowds of the past few years.
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Organizers of the 23rd Annual Empty Bowls are hoping to top last year’s record of $21,400 for six area food pantries and shelters.
To donate: emptybowlsfundraiser.rsvpify.com
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