Lynn Jetton, left, and Anita Crumbley work in the kitchen Friday at Cullman’s First United Methodist Church to prepare this year’s batch of hand-crafted clay bowls for the Empty Bowls of Cullman fundraiser.

The halls of First United Methodist Church will again be jammed Monday evening when Empty Bowls of Cullman, now in its 15th year, returns to raise money for the area’s biggest food bank.

Falling in February each year, the event benefits the Cullman Caring for Kids Food Bank, in the process bringing the community together over food and fellowship. As in recent years, more than a thousand guests are expected to gather over a chili dinner, served in a take-home keepsake bowl hand-thrown by local potters.

The annual tradition brings guests from throughout Cullman County not only for the food, but also music and reconnecting with their neighbors. Keeping the musical beat this year will be The Revelations, Enell Baker, The Potentials, and Shannon Green.

Organizers and volunteers were buzzing around the kitchen at Hearing Hall Friday, washing more than 1,300 bowls made locally for this year’s dinner.

“I think it’s going to go great this year,” said Tanya Shearer, who helps organize the event.

“We’ve got some new potters involved this year, and that is really exciting. We also have the wonderful potters who have been with us for years, and we really want to emphasize what they mean to us. And, of course, the community is always great to turn out, and all of it together is what helps make Empty Bowls a success.”

The keepsake bowls provide a tangible reminder of the good each guest is doing by buying a ticket and investing in their local community,” Shearer added.

“Well, of course, each of the bowls is unique, and they go home with everyone. We have potters who work on the bowls throughout the year — not just for a week or two before Empty Bowls comes around — and it’s just a local effort from start to finish.”

Organizers say that each dollar raised at Empty Bowls can be used to purchase seven pounds’ worth of food.

This year’s Empty Bowls of Cullman fundraiser will run from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday at first United Methodist Church’s Hearin Hall. Tickets are available for $10 at the Cullman Caring for Kids Food Bank, and at the church. Drive-thru and carryout also is available.