(Photo by Art Smith) Over 100 people enjoyed a myriad of soups and community conversation during the Empty Bowls of the Mid-Ohio Valley Luncheon at the First United Methodist Church in Williamstown Saturday afternoon.

WILLIAMSTOWN — The 26th annual Empty Bowls of the Mid-Ohio Valley Luncheon, which helps address food insecurity in the area, was held Saturday at the First United Methodist Church, 304 W. Fifth St., Williamstown.

The annual event raises money across the region with proceeds distributed to local food pantries in Marietta, Williamstown, Parkersburg and, for the first time this year, Belpre.

Carol Garoza, who has served as chair of the event for several years and now shares the role with co-chair Cindy Brown, said the luncheon is part of an international effort that began with a simple idea.

The concept traces back to 2000 locally, when Caroline Putnam, a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Marietta, read about potters in Michigan who began making handmade bowls, filling them with soup and raising money to combat hunger. Inspired by the idea, Putnam organized the first local Empty Bowls luncheon in 2001 in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marietta’s social hall.

Since then, the event has grown steadily, outgrowing several venues before settling at First United Methodist Church in Williamstown several years ago after the church completed renovations to its kitchen and added a multipurpose room.

(Photo by Gwen Sour) Cathy Piekarski takes the time to select a bowl during the Empty Bowls of the Mid-Ohio Valley Luncheon at the First United Methodist Church in Williamstown Saturday afternoon.

Garoza said the mission remains the same: “to feed the hungry” and assist those experiencing food insecurity, which she said has grown significantly in recent years.

“All the money we make, we distribute to the food pantries,” she said.

Attendees receive a handmade bowl and a serving of soup at the luncheon. Bowls are created and donated by area students and local artists. This year, contributions came from Marietta High School, Frontier High School, Parkersburg High School and the Clay Co-Op at the Parkersburg Art Center. Additional bowls were donated by community members and artists, including Margaret Lazer and students from Ely Chapman, despite kiln issues that limited production.

The event relies heavily on volunteers from area churches and community organizations. Churches provide baked goods and help serve soup, while Texas Roadhouse donated soup and sent 10 volunteers to assist. College fraternities and other community members also pitch in.

“It’s a big community effort for a big community function for the community to help the community,” Garoza said.

Organizers will determine final proceeds after the luncheon and distribute funds to participating food pantries throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley.