Artists, chefs and generous Central Texans came together Sunday to fight childhood hunger. The 15th annual Austin Empty Bowl Project drew hundreds to the Marchesa Hall and Theatre.
The handmade ceramic bowls are tools in the fight against childhood hunger. They came in all shapes, sizes and colors at the Austin Empty Bowl Project.
"This is my fifth or sixth year coming, and we always get here really early," Joy Kohl said.
Kohl is among the hundreds who lined up outside the Marchesa hall and Theater in North Austin. For a donation of $20, they could bring home the bowl of their choice, and have it filled with soup.
"I'm looking for the ugliest bowl I can find," Kohl said. All the bowls were created and donated by local students, artists and potters.
"We never know what you are looking for -- we just come and see what strikes us," Kohl said.
A few people had trouble choosing just one.
"I like the Texas Longhorns because I'm a Texas Longhorn at heart," one shopper said. "This is my sister's because she likes turtles. These I'm getting for my sisters-in-laws."
Ninety special bowls were part of a silent auction. Many had celebrity signatures form Paula Deen to Joan Rivers.
All the money raised benefits the Capital Area Food Bank's after school program, Kid's Cafe. Every $20 buys 45 meals.
After volunteers washed their bowls, generous Central Texans got to eat. Hoover Alexander from Hoover's Cooking, was among the local chefs donating gourmet soups.
"We do soup every year, and really look forward to it," Alexander said. "It sets the tone for the holiday season. It's a season for giving and sharing -- it's a perfect venue for that."
It's also a perfect way to fight childhood hunger, one bowl at a time.
