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Soup's on for Empty Bowls

February 14, 2007 - Daily Journal

Organizing the annual Empty Bowls Luncheon is a lot like cooking a big pot of soup: There are many ingredients, and they all come together to form a hearty solution to hunger.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, the 90 or so volunteers of the Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary in Tupelo will see their months of planning pay off. More than 30 restaurant chefs will provide the area's tastiest soups, and more than 1,800 pottery bowls will be wrapped and ready to give away. Dozens of donated baked goods and gift items will be available for purchase for the group's largest annual fundraiser. The Salvation Army in Tupelo provides 47,000 meals each year for those in need. Susan Gilbert, director of social services, says money raised during the Empty Bowls Luncheon buys close to 30,000 of those meals. "The money from this event goes just for food," she said. Area restaurants are providing most of the soup for the luncheon. Jimmy Pappas, owner of Summit Hotel and Convention Center, says he's been donating soup for the event for several years. On Wednesday he'll donate five or so gallons of clam chowder. "Last year we did cream of chicken. We change it up every year," he said. "It's always fun being out there with the crowd, and it's for such a good cause."

David Barnes, manager of Harveys, says his restaurant donated soup at the first Empty Bowls fundraiser nine years ago and has kept it up ever since. This year Harveys will provide several gallons of crawfish chowder, which won the best soup award at last year's luncheon. "It's a goodwill thing to give to the community," he said. "And we like the opportunity to have a lot of people taste our crawfish chowder."

Marguerite Johnson, chairperson for the fundraiser, says she is especially excited about the event's bake sale. Auxiliary members will donate cakes, bread and other homemade items to sell. "We're usually sold out in the first 45 minutes," Johnson said. "And we're selling frozen casseroles for the first time this year."

In addition, auxiliary member Jackie Couch says people and businesses have donated many valuable items to sell at bargain prices. "One woman just gave us an expensive pair of earrings," she said. "We also have spa treatment certificates given by Skin Care by Iris."

By Charity Gordon