THE SHOALS-Shoals area residents are invited to participate in the 18th Annual Empty Bowls fundraiser on April 12, 2023 to help fight hunger and feed hope. Held at The Marriott Conference Center from 11:00am-1:00pm, guests will enjoy a variety of soups prepared by local restaurants. Guests will receive either a hand-crated bowl or cross as a reminder of the meal’s purpose-that you helped eliminate hunger one bowl at a time and that we must continue to do God’s work in helping the less fortunate.
All Empty Bowls proceeds will stay local to support the food pantry, and the silent auction proceeds provide funds for youth programs and The Center of Hope.
“We are a community that comes together when there is a crisis,” said Captain Donna Watts, Commanding Officer for The Salvation Army. “However, today, we are experiencing a more silent and pervasive economic crisis as a consequence of the pandemic and inflation. It has impacted many people in our community and made it difficult for many to feed their families or stay in their homes.”
Captain Donna said 2,000 handcrafted bowls will be given out that were designed specifically for this event by local artists, Claymates, and volunteers.
Captain Donna said she is grateful to the local community for coming together year after year to support this event. “We invite you to join us in fighting hunger and homelessness in our local community by participating in or sponsoring this special event.” Tickets are $20 per guest and are available at The Salvation Army office, Trinity Ceramic Supply, CB&S Bank on Hough Rd, or any Women’s Auxiliary Member. Sponsorships are also available.
The event is grounded on the principle of “Soup, Soap and Salvation,” which Salvation Army founder William Booth championed as a way to address the complex nature of poverty, the limited choices for the disenfranchised, and the impact of life circumstances.
“When we feed someone (Soup) and take care of their basic needs and human dignity (Soap), they will be more receptive to the Gospel and love of Christ (Salvation),” explained Captain Donna.
Media Release/Rebecca Bevis
HR Coordinator
The Salvation Army of the Shoals
