Empty Bowls

by Erin Eddins

Last summer upon invitation of my mother-in-law I attended a luncheon for Second Harvest. I did not know much about Second Harvest other than the fact that my mother-in-law did a lot of volunteering there. Still I agreed to go and share the lunch hour with her and some of her ladies from church. What would we be having at this luncheon? Soup.

The luncheon was the annual event that Second Harvest calls Empty Bowls. In the hour that I spent visiting not only with the kind people at my table but with all of the business and political folks that filled the banquet hall, I ate nearly 10 bowls of soup. My defense is two-fold: first, the bowls are sample size and second, those were the best soups I have ever eaten.

Local restaurants had come together in a cooking competition…may the best soup win. And boy, did it ever. After flavorful chowders, velvety bisques and a spicy gumbo, a tablemate of mine insisted I find and try the Rueben Soup. Was she out of her mind or just of poor sight? I had eight empty bowls in front of me already. With great effort I lifted my rounding self from the table and sought out the Rueben.

It was beyond worth it; it was amazing; it was the single best soup I have ever had the pleasure of tasting. As I returned to my table again and again with a little bowl for me and several to share with the ladies, I realized our centerpiece was overrun with the pile of these little bowls….these empty bowls. And I began to wonder if that was the inspiration for the event’s name: Empty Bowls.

(

I work a few blocks from the Open Door Kitchen and see the crowd that collects, patiently waiting to be fed but I had no idea how many more in our community were hungry. Through multimedia and guest speakers, the audience was given the truth about hunger in our community and the surrounding area. I learned so much that day. It was unbelievable to learn hunger affected so many people. But it was amazing to learn how easy it is for people to help.

It was an emotional day but I did not leave with a feeling of hopelessness. The crowd did not shuffle out of the luncheon with their head hung low and a feeling of guilt for always having plenty to eat. We walked out a better educated group of people with the information needed to start making an effort to change the hunger statistics. Yes, this is a dire situation but we are a strong community and we, as always, will rise to the challenge and together make a difference.

It is time once again to gather for some good soup and a good cause, Empty Bowls will be held Tuesday, June 10^th at

. The event will run from 11:30 to 1.

This year there will be twelve participating restaurants, for many of whom this will be a return trip to Empty Bowls. Their soups will once again be amazing. And the crowd to eat up that soup will undoubtedly be larger than ever.

Individual tickets are $25 and table sponsorship is available, though the deadline is June 4. Go online to www.StJoeFoodBank.org or call 816.364.FOOD for tickets or more information about Empty Bowls.