Odessa American- Odessans fill Empty Bowls

September 30, 2011 9:32 PM
BY NATHANIEL MILLER
Odessans opened up their hearts and wallets Friday during the 13th annual Empty Bowls fundraiser at St. John’s Episcopal Church to help raise money for the West Texas Food Bank.

Starting at 7 p.m., people from all over town came and filled the gymnasium while enjoying food and the sounds of the Odessa High School Orchestra as they performed various songs, including a version of Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir.”

The Rev. Les Jackson said he was pleased with this year’s turnout, which included more than 100 people.

“It’s wonderful. God has blessed up with so many blessings,” Jackson said. “We’re more than happy to open our gym and host these people.”

For $10, people got their choice of chicken tortilla soup, beef and vegetable soup or broccoli and cheese soup, a drink, Tres Leches cake and a souvenir bowl to take home. The bowls were constructed by local artists, including Boys and Girls Club summer program and the Ellen Noël Art Museum Summer Art Camp.

Chris Stanley said they had more than 300 bowls at the event, which came in various shapes, sizes and colors.

Also present this year was a silent auction that had items from ceramic vases, paintings and various types of jewelry. All proceeds raised were donated to the West Texas Food Bank.

“It’s a huge, huge boom for us,” West Texas Food Bank Director of Marketing and Community Relations Paige Phelps said. “Every person walking through that door is donating $10, which helps provide 40 meals.”

It wasn’t known how much money the event would bring in this year, but Stanley said Empty Bowls raised about $6,000 last year.

Mary Neff, the International Baccalaureate Coordinator for Odessa High School, said the event, which has been held previously at UTPB and the CEED building, was a good fit at the church located at 401 N. West County Road because it was located in the right spot for all people in the community to attend.

“Our community is small enough, we can bring all these people together,” Neff said.

Jackson said the church would be playing host to the event again next year.

Some people at Empty Bowls said this was their first time to, while other had been there numerous times.

Jim Mosman said he and his wife, Jennifer Mosman, have been attending Empty Bowls since it first started in Odessa. Looking for something different than previous years, Jim Mosman held two bowls in his hands while Jennifer Mosman made the final say in which bowl to pick out.

“We are a collector of empty bowls from Empty Bowls,” Jim Mosman said.

Nichi Vanderford, along with her husband Chad Vanderford and 4-year-old daughter Emilie, were also taking their time examining the bowls. Emilie, who had picked out a bowl with a smiley face, helped her mother select another bowl for a family member not present.

“It’ll be a Christmas gift,” Nichi Vanderfod said.