Photo by Doug Loyer Hundreds of people savored delicious soups at the Empty Bowls Luncheon on Saturday.

MARIETTA — Saturday’s cold weather created the perfect opportunity for hundreds of people to enjoy a satisfying hot bowl of delicious soup at the annual Empty Bowls Luncheon at First Presbyterian Church in Marietta to benefit local food pantries.

The real satisfaction came from knowing they were helping to fill area food pantries that are in much need of food. Food insecurity is always a concern in this area.

That’s why the First Congregational Church, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, First Unitarian Universalist Church and the First Presbyterian Church partnered again this year to organize the Empty Bowl fundraising event. With the help of local artisans, area restaurants and volunteers, their combined efforts help raise funds to stock the shelves of local food pantries.

“We were hoping that the snow wouldn’t keep people away, and it didn’t. People are lined up and we’re glad,” said Stassa Phillips, chairwoman of the Empty Bowls Committee. “We have such community support; it’s wonderful! We are very grateful.”

For a donation of $12, or $10 for ages 12 and under, participants got to select a bowl to take home and enjoy a bowl of soup, bread, beverage and dessert.

Photo by Doug Loyer This Zuppa Toscana soup by Riviera restaurant was one of many offered at the Empty Bowls event.

Last year, over 300 people attended and over $5,500 was raised and given to local food pantries.

“We have 46 student volunteers this year from Marietta College and Washington State and they are just incredible,” said Dr. Mabry O’Donnell, a board member who was in charge of the volunteers.

“I’m so proud of them,” said O’Donnell. “They are greeting people, helping them with their bowls and keeping everything clean. They’ve been wonderful!”

O’Donnell said it is unfortunate this area has people who do not have enough food to eat, but this is an amazing community event that helps the pantries.

Marietta College sophomore Michael Doran of Newark, Ohio, was one of the volunteers for the day.

Photo by Doug Loyer Many potters, art classes, ceramic shops and woodworkers combined to donate over 600 bowls for the luncheon.

“This is great! This is one of the reasons I came to Marietta College,” said Doran. “This is such a great community and it seems like everyone likes to help each other out. It’s nice to see everyone come together for these community events.”

Caroline Putnam is the person credited for getting the Empty Bowls event started locally. Empty Bowls is a national concept that started in the early ’90s.

The idea is to raise charitable funds for communities by having an event that gives students and artisans a way to make a difference. The idea has helped in the fight against hunger.

There were 24 local restaurants that donated soups, breads and other items for the luncheon. The four churches provided the drinks and desserts.

There were 14 contributors of bowls that included potters, art classes, ceramic shops and woodworkers. Over 600 bowls were donated for this year’s event.

Photo by Doug Loyer There was a large selection of bowls to choose from at the Empty Bowls Luncheon.

“This is a great community project,” said Carol Garoza, Empty Bowl Committee member. “All the money goes directly to the food pantries. This is the community coming together to help those who need it and the generosity of the community is just overwhelming.”

Art students have learned they can make a difference in their community by helping with their hands and creative talents. Local schools got involved by creating bowls for the event, including Marietta High School, Parkersburg High School, Frontier High School, along with the Parkersburg Art Center. The Pottery Place in Grand Central Mall participated again this year and donated 121 bowls.

“I have volunteered for Empty Bowls since its inception and I think it’s a wonderful thing,” said St. Luke’s volunteer Hazel Boettcher of Reno. “We have more soups this year than we’ve ever had. This event is fantastic. It’s so rewarding to know that the funds that we’re raising is going to such a needy cause. The more we can help out like this, the better.”

Becky Young said this was her first year volunteering at the event because she’s been in Florida during the winters for the past several years.

“I really think this program is wonderful,” said Young. “It’s also a wonderful way to get the kids involved at a young age and realizing that they are doing something important in their community.”

“I absolutely come every year. We all come to support the food banks,” said Megan Krivchenia of Williamstown. “This is a wonderful way to support the food banks.”

Her daughter-in-law Di Krivchenia said, “There is a big need for food support in our community and this really is a great way to help.”

“I tried the Borscht soup today and it is excellent,” said Di. “My mother-in-law’s favorite was the Zuppa Toscana soup.”

Dan Turner of Barlow said it was his first time attending the Empty Bowls event and he had no idea the event was so big.

Eating lunch with Dan was Pat Love of Williamstown who summarized the overall theme of the day by saying, “It’s a good day for soup and it gives you a good feeling to know you’re helping out.”

If you couldn’t go to Saturday’s event and would like to purchase a bowl or make a donation, call Stassa Phillips at 740-376-0666 or send a donation to Empty Bowls, c/o FUUSM, 232 Third St., Marietta, OH 45750.