On March 23, the 24th annual Empty Bowls fundraising event had its most successful year ever collecting funds for area food pantries to help alleviate food insecurities in the Mid-Ohio Valley. All net proceeds go to the pantries. The Empty Bowls Committee thanks all who made this year’s event a success by supplying goods and services as well as attending.

We are especially grateful to the First United Methodist Church of Williamstown, West Virginia, who donated the lovely facility and the kitchen with staff. Nancy and George Fenton, Marilyn and Larry Croucher, and other church members graciously gave their time and energy.

There would not have been an event without the restaurants that donated soup as well as bread donated by Panera Bread of Marietta and Parkersburg, and ice and napkins from McDonald’s of Marietta. The participating restaurants include Boathouse BBQ, Busy Bee, Cheddars Scratch Kitchen, The Cook’s Shop, DaVinci’s, The Galley, Glenwood Community, House of Wines, Huck’s Farm Market, Jeremiah’s Coffee House, Lafayette Hotel, Levee House Bistro, Parkhurst at Marietta College, Marietta Wine Cellars, Moose Lodge #1823, Neader’s Diner, Riviera at the Valley Gem, Spagna’s/Harmar Tavern, Subway Frontier Center, Tampico Mexican Restaurant, Tonya’s Country Kitchen, Townhouse, and Wilky’s Sports Bar. Handcrafted bowls given to each attendee were contributed by Parkersburg Art Center Ceramics Studio, Robin May of May Pottery, Henry Aglio, Marietta High School, Parkersburg High School, and The Water Can Art Studio. Volunteers from the Marietta College football team, Marietta College McDonough Leadership program, Chi Omega Sorority from Marietta College, Rufus Putnam DeMolay chapter, Phi Theta Kappa honor society from Washington State College of Ohio, and Marietta High School Cheer Leaders contributed their time and energy to transporting items, arranging the room, serving, working in the kitchen and dining room, writing notes, and ensuring a smooth operation. Marietta churches supplying volunteers included St. Luke’s Episcopal, First Unitarian Universalist Society, First Congregational, and First Presbyterian. These churches provided cooking supplies, people, and cookies.

American Flags and Poles, Applebee’s, Comfort Inn and Suites, The Cook’s Shop, Esther Salem, Fairfield Inn, Henry Aglio, Jersey Mike’s, Las Trancas, Marcia and Tim Stewart, 740 Social, and Weber’s Market invigorated our silent auction. Our gratitude is extended to the donors and bidders, also. The succulent terrariums created by Stassa Phillips continue to be a popular item of the day.

Because of a dedicated and determined committee along with a delightful community and our knowledgeable and supportive Marietta Community Foundation, Empty Bowls 2024 was a success. Thank you!