Empty Bowls began in 1990 as an art class project in a Michigan high school to raise money for a food drive. Students made ceramic bowls, served a simple meal of soup and bread and asked guests to keep the bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls at meal time around the world. Soon this simple idea morphed into an international project to raise money and awareness for the fight against hunger.

 

Thermal Belt Outreach Ministry (Outreach) hosts our local Empty Bowls Fundraiser, sponsored by Artistry Above, HomeTrust Bank and Saluda Outfitters, the last Saturday of September as part of Hunger Action Month. This year, we’ve partnered with Tryon Arts and Crafts School (TACS), who is coordinating with local professional potters and organizing the efforts to create, glaze and fire hundreds of handcrafted bowls that will be given to Empty Bowls guests. 

 

Held on Saturday, September 28 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at The Barn at Parker-Binns Vineyard, guests will sample delicious soups from 6 local restaurants: Huckleberry’s Restaurant, Lavender Bistro, McGourty’s Irish Pub, Southside Smokehouse & Grill, The Purple Onion and The Rural Seed Restaurant and enjoy tasty artisan bread provided by Standing Stone Breads.

 

Entertainment on the porch includes music by The Trophy Husbands Unplugged and a Silent Art Auction, featuring beautiful pottery and other works of art made by local professionals. Beer and Parker-Binns wines will be offered for sale.

 

Every ticket sold will provide a family with more than one week’s worth of food and supports Outreach’s mission to provide compassionate assistance to Polk County residents who do not have the resources to provide for their basic needs. For more information, visit www.tboutreach.org or drop by the Outreach office at 134 White Drive in Columbus or the Parker-Binns Tasting Room located at 2275 Whiteside Road in Mill Spring, located in the big red barn.

 

This Empty Bowls Fundraiser is a wonderful, collaborative community effort that would not be possible without our local restaurant and business sponsors, TACS, volunteers, local professional artists and supporters.

 

Submitted by Margot Carter