Photo by Shannon Malanoski Volunteers look over the eclectic collection of handmade ceramic bowls for purchase at the 26th Annual Empty Bowls Saturday at Central Middle School.
Volunteers made the most soup ever since 2018, and sold the most handmade ceramic bowls in that time for the 26th Annual Empty Bowls food bank fundraiser Saturday at Central Middle School in downtown Columbus.
Now, as organizers pay the event’s bills and count proceeds, they’re hoping to have raised the most money in that time span, too. They said they hope to have a fundraising total later this week, though donations still were being made Tuesday.
“We still have money coming in,” said Kelly Daughtery, a member of the organizing committee and one who organized the event’s silent auction.
The fundraiser involves people buying volunteer-made soups and chilis in locally-produced, hand-crafted bowls for sale, plus breads, desserts and more while listening to live entertainment and brief messages about the need to support struggling families locally.
“We were very pleased with the event,” said Judy Kiesow, chairperson.
One reason for that reaction was that volunteers prepared 60 gallons of soups and chilis — nearly twice the amount that has been prepared in recent years. And diners ate all of it because of an all-you-can-eat guideline.
Furthermore, organizers sold more of the handmade ceramic bowls — about 100 — than in recent years, according to Kiesow.
Organizers expanded the gathering from two hours to three hours in order to give more people a chance to attend — and an estimated 300 people did so.
The goal this year was set at $25,000.
Last year’s gathering attracted about 340 people and generated $20,000, divided among the event’s six beneficiaries: Love Chapel, Turning Point Domestic Violence Services, the Salvation Army, the Community Center of Hope, Thrive Alliance and Horizon House.
Love Chapel’s pantry alone is currently serving a record of more than 1,200 households monthly. That number has risen steadily since the pandemic.
Ideally, organizers aimed to attract as many as 500 people, which would sometimes happen years ago when the area event calendar was not quite as busy. More than 1,000 attended in 2011 when the event ran longer.
Some of those who attended Saturday came dressed in fashions such as fringe skirts and headbands because they also planned to attend the Library After Dark Readeasy 1920s-style event afterward nearby at the Bartholomew County Public Library.
Kiesow praised a team of about 60 volunteers at the event. She said they, corporate sponsors and her committee made the event possible.
“Because of their work, I’m almost embarrassed to call myself a chairperson,” she said.
Local sculptor and potter Bob Pulley launched the event as a member of Columbus Peace Fellowship after hearing about a similar event from artist friends. He then watched people such as longtime volunteer Sarah Grey turn the idea into a reality.
How to help
Financial donations to the cause can be made at:
https://www.classy.org/event/empty-bowls/e534694
