Greenwood City Gears Up for 16th Annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser

Greenwood City Gears Up for 16th Annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser

Greenwood, SC – The community is coming together once again for the 16th Annual Empty Bowls fundraiser, supporting the Greenwood Soup Kitchen. Held in October, this cherished event merges art, charity, and community spirit to help feed the hungry in Greenwood.

Event Details and Volunteer Efforts

This year’s event will be split into two nights. On October 16, take-out meals will be offered, while October 17 will host two dine-in sessions at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets are currently available for purchase at $25 per adult and $15 per child (ages 12 and younger). The event has a tradition of selling out quickly, so interested participants are encouraged to secure their tickets early.

A small army of volunteers is what makes the Empty Bowls event possible. These volunteers provide services ranging from parking assistance to aiding attendees in crossing the street safely. Additionally, student volunteers aid in bowl washing and food service.

Community Involvement and Artistic Contribution

The event hinges on the efforts of local clay artists and various community groups who contribute by making hundreds of handcrafted bowls. Participants who purchase tickets not only get to enjoy a simple meal of soup, bread, and desserts but are also invited to take home a unique, handcrafted bowl. The artistic contributions play a significant role in attracting repeat visitors year after year.

Lander University sociology professor Daniel M. Harrison has enlisted Lander student volunteers to assist with event parking for the past 13 years. Harrison noted, “Lander student volunteers are happy to help and get a free T-shirt and look at all the bowls. Many, before volunteering to be a part of this, haven’t heard of Empty Bowls and don’t know about the soup kitchen.”

Nicole Shearin, Emerald High School teacher and faculty advisor for the EHS Interact Club, also emphasized the importance of community service to student volunteers. “Part of what keeps our students volunteering every year is just how kind and generous the people with Empty Bowls are,” Shearin said.

The Concept of Empty Bowls

The idea behind Empty Bowls is simple yet powerful: artists and groups create and donate bowls, and these bowls are then chosen by guests to take home after a meal. Restaurants and local volunteers, like those from the Greenwood Medical Alliance, help provide the meal. All proceeds from the event support the Greenwood Soup Kitchen.

Greenwood Soup Kitchen Support

The Greenwood Soup Kitchen (GSK) serves, on average, 75 people per day, with the capability to seat up to 100 guests. The all-volunteer organization provides free hot meals to those in need six days a week, with Immanuel Lutheran Church covering meals on Sundays. The meals are served at 929 Phoenix St., formerly home to Blake School and Burton Center, now known as The United Center for Community Care.

In December 2023, the Greenwood Soup Kitchen merged with the Food Bank of Greenwood County, operating under the oversight of Andrea White. The merger has strengthened the services offered, ensuring that more people in the community receive the support they need.

How to Get Involved

For those interested in participating or volunteering, tickets for the Empty Bowls event are available starting September 3. Contact Whitney Nicholson at 864-554-4340 or Norm Fawcett at 864-227-3421 for ticket purchases and volunteer opportunities. Keep up with the latest happenings through the Empty Bowls Greenwood Facebook page.

With this event, the community’s efforts in battling hunger are not just visible but deeply felt.