BELLVILLE — The very first Empty Bowls event for the Bellville Neighborhood Outreach Center was a rousing success, and a huge step forward in combating hunger in the Clear Fork Valley region. 

Hundreds of people gathered at Clear Fork High School on Sunday to enjoy delicious soup and support their community. According to Terri Hamilton, a board member with the Neighborhood Outreach Center, there was a line of people out the door for the first hour of the event. 

“It’s been a tremendous outpouring of support from the community,” Hamilton said. 

While new to the Clear Fork area, Empty Bowls events have been held in communities across the country for years. The idea began in the 1990s as an art class project in a Michigan high school to raise funds for a food drive. Students made ceramic bowls, served a meal of soup and bread, and invited guests to keep the bowl as a reminder of hunger in the world.

After researching the Empty Bowls project, Hamilton realized the fundraiser would be a perfect fit for the Clear Fork area. The Bellville Neighborhood Outreach Center partnered with Clear Fork Local Schools to create the bowls.

“When I looked at the Empty Bowls project throughout the country, that’s really the premise of them – to help raise funds using artwork, and literally to feed people,” Hamilton said.

The one-of-a-kind bowls featured on Sunday were crafted by 4th and 5th grade students from Bellville and Butler Elementary during art class as a service project.

“We had a lot of students who came through because their families were excited to be part of it,” Hamilton said. “Some of them took their bowls home, sometimes they found a different bowl, and the students were really excited to be a part of this, also.” 

The Empty Bowls fundraiser also brought in partnerships with local restaurants and businesses including Black Dog Tavern, Brumby’s, Der Dutchman, Fast Eddie’s Pizza, Stoodts Market, V&M Family Restaurant, and Wishmaker House, who provided the soups and other snacks to be served. By the end of the day, many soups were sold out. 

All proceeds raised on Sunday will benefit the Bellville Neighborhood Outreach Center, whose mission is to support and enrich the lives of Clear Fork Valley residents by developing and operating a community service center. The center includes a Food Pantry, a Clothesline, and an Activity Center, providing those in need with some of life’s essential items including food and clothing.

According to Hamilton, the Bellville Neighborhood Outreach Center serves more than 400 people per month on average. 

“This event would not have been successful without the generous support of hundreds of community members and vital sponsors coming together for one worthy cause,” she said.Â