On March 1, the 25th annual Empty Bowls fundraising luncheon had its most successful year ever raising 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 would like to thank the many people and area businesses who made this year’s event a success.

The committee would specifically like to thank all the restaurants in the area that donated soup to the cause: Boathouse BBQ, Busy Bee, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, DaVinci’s, Denny’s, Galley, Glenwood, House of Wines, Huck’s Farm Market, Jeremiah’s Coffee House, Lafayette Hotel, Levee House Bistro, Marietta College, Marietta Memorial Hospital, Memorial Health System’s Changed Plate, Moose Lodge #1823, Neader’s Diner, Riviera at the Valley Gem, Selby General Hospital, Spagna’s/Harmar Tavern, Subway Frontier Center, Tampico, Tonya’s Country Kitchen, Townhouse, and Wilky’s Sports Bar. Also, thank you to Marietta and Vienna Panera Bread, who donated the bread and McDonald’s of Marietta, which provided ice.

Handcrafted bowls that were given to each attendee were contributed by Parkersburg Art Center Clay Co-Op, Robin May of May Pottery, Henry Aglio, Mike Sharps, Marietta High School, and Parkersburg High School.

Student volunteers from Marietta College and Marietta High School contributed their time and energy to transporting items, arranging the room, serving, and working in the kitchen and dining room. Marietta churches supplying volunteers included St. Luke’s Episcopal, Lutheran, Unitarian, First Congregational, First Presbyterian, and Williamstown United Methodist Church which hosted the event. These churches also supplied slow cookers and other equipment to make this event successful. In addition, volunteers from churches participating baked dozens of cookies.

There was also a silent auction during the event for which several people donated bowls symbolizing artistic, historic, vintage, colorful, and utilitarian creations. Our gratitude goes out to the donors and bidders. The donors of auction items included 740 Social, American Flags and Poles, Apex True Value, Applebee’s, Austyn’s, Domino’s, DQ Grill and Chill, Empire Buffet, Giant Eagle, Gran Rey Mexican Grill, IHOP, J’s Hot Dog, Jersey Mike’s, Las Trancas, Outback Steakhouse, Over the Moon Pizza, Smitty’s Pizza, Starbucks Coffee, Texas Road House, Original Pizza Place, Weber’s and a number of anonymous donors.

It was extremely successful and it is because of the people and organizations referenced above, that by their generosity, a tremendous sense of community was exhibited! The Empty Bowls Committee is so grateful for everyone’s support.

Orvie Fischer,

Treasurer

Empty Bowls Committee