After a detour for desserts, the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser returns to serving up bowls of soups again this year. The event also will return to its date closer to Thanksgiving as a way to help people remember those who might be missing meals over the holiday. “It just keeps evolving as people learn more about it,” said Ruth Willoughby, business engagement director for Watered Gardens Ministries in Joplin.
“We want to keep it fresh, mix it up. Our customers are more accustomed to November, and soup matches perfectly with chilly weather.” Empty Bowls is a local grassroots effort where area pottery artists make bowls for the fundraiser.
The donated bowls are sold to raise money for local hunger relief. Last year, the fundraiser shifted to desserts, and the event was held in September. This is the sixth year Watered Gardens has hosted the event and its 12th year overall.
The first Empty Bowls event was held in 2012 by Heather Grills. Willoughby said Watered Gardens wants to help people escape poverty, teaching them they have dignity, value and worth. When the ministry started hosting the event, it was important for Watered Gardens to share the proceeds with like-minded nonprofits.
The funds can be a large part of those organizations’ operating budgets. The event has two separate parts. First, Watered Gardens is currently holding a presale for bowls at Joplin Greenhouse & The Coffee Shop.
The presale is an opportunity for people who might not be in town for the event .