GVAS plans another Empty Bowls fundraiser

Special to the Green Valley News

Taking a bowl home after enjoying soup and bread will once again be the theme of the second annual Empty Bowls event.

Symbolizing the soup kitchen unfortunately familiar in cities across the nation, Green Valley Assistance Services invites the community to the Valley Presbyterian Church next to Desert Hills Recreation Center from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 23 to donate $10 for the chance to sip some homemade soup from decorative bowls created by local clay and ceramic artisans.

Thousands of communities around the world have adopted the concept and sponsor similar events, fashioned after the idea spawned in a junior high school art classroom in Michigan when students wanted to come up with a way to help feed the hungry.

“We hope everyone will want to come and enjoy a delicious hot bowl of soup and learn about hunger and outreach efforts in our community,” said GVAS Project Manager Barb Hunt, coordinator of the event that gave a few hundred citizens last year a glimpse into experiencing a soup kitchen line, while providing a financial boost to GVAS and their holiday food voucher program, as well as the Monetary Assistance Program that helps local needy families with food, gasoline, and utilities.

“You take your empty bowl home,” she explained, “as a reminder of others who live with “empty bowls.’”

Each $10 ticket entitles the bearer to soup, bread, and beverage and they get to choose one of the hand-made bowls.

There will be raffle tickets for prizes and grocery tote bags available for purchase, donated by Susan and James Sidd, promoting the environmentally friendly practice of avoiding plastic take-out bags.

Chef Charles from Kristopher’s will be on hand, once again the chief organizer among local restaurateurs who are donating soup, and GVR’s Clay Studio and Ceramics Club, as well as students at Corona Foothills Middle School and other local artists have donated bowls, some who organized workshops to generate as many as they could.

The Green Valley Community Food Bank will provide information about the needs in this area, and are asking people who attend to bring along a non-perishable item for the food bank.

The University of Arizona Extension will have nutrition information to share and tips on planting, along with vegetable plants to give out.

“Letters have been sent out to local churches to help with cookies,” Hunt said, “and if any potters or woodworkers would like to help out they can call me.”

Barb Hunt can be reached at GVAS (625-5966) or gvaspromgr@qwest.net.