Auburn is about to get bowled over in a fight against hunger.
The inaugural Empty Bowls, a community-wide effort to support the Auburn Food Bank, is serving up lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday at Grace Community Church.
Area businesses, schools and arts groups are combining efforts to pull off an innovate way to raise funds for a good cause.
“We tell people about it and they say, ‘What a cool idea,'” said Gail Spurrell, one of the event’s organizers. “Everybody has stepped up to the plate and helped us.”
Empty Bowls, an international grassroots effort to fight hunger, was created by The Imagine Render Group. The premise is simple: Potters, craftspeople, educators and others work with the community to create handcrafted bowls. Guests are invited to a simple meal of soup and bread. In exchange for a cash donation, guests are asked to keep a bowl as a reminder of the empty bowls in the world.
The money raised is donated to an organization working to end hunger and food insecurity.
Attendees at the Auburn gathering will have the opportunity to purchase a handmade soup bowl by students and professional potters for a minimum donation of $15. Customers will have a choice among soups donated by local restaurants and schools.
Pottery students at Green River Community College have spun 200 bowls for the event. The Evergreen Woodworkers Association has donated hand-turned wooden bowls. Other artists have donated bowls as well.
“My goal is still 500 bowls. I’m very optimistic,” Spurrell said.
Local restaurants and businesses, GRCC and Auburn Regional have joined Auburn, Auburn Mountainview and Auburn Riverside high school culinary arts students to donate soup, beverages, bread and cookies.
Several businesses have stepped up to sponsor the event, and encourage employee groups to compete for group sales.
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Empty Bowls
• Benefit: 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Tuesday, Grace Community Church, 1320 Auburn Way S., Auburn.
• Cost: Minimum $15 donation for a bowl. Purchase and enjoy lunch and collect a handcrafted bowl. Proceeds to benefit the Auburn Food Bank.
• Info: Auburn Food Bank at 253-833-8925 or www.theauburnfoodbank.org.
