A large crowd filled the First United Methodist Church of Cullman for the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser Monday.

The bowls were full, as was Cullman First United Methodist Church for the 16th annual Empty Bowls chili dinner and fundraiser.

The annual event raises money for the Cullman Caring for Kids food bank, and offered a night of live music and fellowship to go along with a bowl of chili and a grilled cheese. Each person who bought a ticket was also able to take home one of the 1,400 handcrafted bowls that were donated by local craftspeople. 

Empty Bowls coordinator Tanya Shearer said the event involves around 100 volunteers, who come from local schools, businesses, churches and elsewhere, to work together for cooking, serving and entertaining, and many of the potters will be back at work on Tuesday preparing bowls for next year’s Empty Bowls.

“It’s just incredible,” she said. “We see God put His work in this every year.”

Cullman Caring for Kids Executive Director Javon Daniel said Empty Bowls has grown over the last 16 years to become one of the food bank’s biggest fundraisers.

“It has become a community event,” he said. “It’s something that a lot of people look forward to. They hear good music, they’ve got good food and fellowship.”

Daniel said the event usually raises $12,000 to $13,000 for the food bank, and that success is due to the people who donate their time to lend a hand.

“The whole community’s involved,” he said. “It’s not just Cullman Caring for Kids, it’s people from the community, people from different churches coming together and doing this to help take care of the needs of the community.”

Daniel, who spent much of the evening greeting people as they entered the church, said he sees many of the same people who return to Empty Bowls to show their support every year.

“They know it’s worth it,” he said. “It’s not about that little clay bowl, it’s about community.”

 

Tyler Hanes can be reached at 256-734-2131 ext. 138.