Empty Bowls

Guests enjoying their soup

“Empty Bowls is a grassroots effort that raises awareness and money to address homelessness and hunger in towns and cities across the nation. In Rochester, area artists donate small bowls or original works of art for Empty Bowls. About 400 guests will pay to attend a simple supper of bread and soup. During the event, each guest will pick a bowl to keep and bid on the art work.”*

Conentus singers (including Kathy Grant)
director, and friends

This annual event is sponsored by Catholic Family Center (CFC), which benefits people in crisis throughout Monroe County. CFC is a member of Catholic Charities USA, which provides “social services to people in need, regardless of their religious, social or economic backgrounds.”* While I prefer to support secular non-profits, it’s a fact that, at least historically, religious organizations are, well, more organized than the non-religious in sponsoring programs to help those in need. And CFC doesn’t use their outreach to proselytize.

When I consulted their website, I was impressed by the breadth of services CFC provides, including Healthy Sisters’ Soup and Bean Works – I’m a big fan of their soup mixes! Given the description of the event, I was prepared for some sort of austerity soup, like chicken vegetable, or worse, just broth. So I was amazed at the veritable feast of soups – over a dozen delicious options to choose from, provided by local restaurants! I started with a hearty Black Bean Pumpkin Bisque (Dogtown), and progressed to Meatball Minestrone (Genesee Brew House). I thought I was full, until Julia, of Julia K. Caters, convinced me to taste her truly creamy Creamy Tomato Basil Bisque Smoked Gouda Crème Fraiche and Toasted Cheese Crouton – I could have had another bowl, but I had to save room for the desserts that were being passed – cookies, ice cream, cream puffs, brownies, and fudge. Did I mention that there was also a complimentary selection of beer and wine?

which bowl to choose?

Friendly competition as the
end of the auction nears

I loved the wide variety of hand-made bowls (and mugs) to choose from (in addition to the meal, a bowl was included in the price of admission). Fellow Concentus singer Kathy Grant, CFC’s Director of Marketing & Communications, told me they had upwards of 400 guests, and luckily there were more than enough bowls for everyone (even enough for some, like me, to purchase an additional bowl…). The event was held in a large hall at Kodak Theatre on the Ridge (with great background music provided by the Rochester Ukulele Orchestra), which was easy to get to, and had plenty of free parking nearby. I “won” three items in the silent auction, and there was some serious bidding on quite a few things, including an adorable tiny, hand-painted Adirondack chair.

Century Club staircase

CFC’s next event is their “Yesteryear’s Treasures – Today’s Elegance – Tomorrow’sHope” luncheon and fashion show, on November 4, at the Century Club. If you haven’t had a chance to peek inside this historic house, this fundraiser would be an excellent opportunity! And I’m definitely putting Empty Bowls in my calendar for 2017.

*from the Catholic Family Center website