Handmade pottery bowls at the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser benefiting Yadkin Christian Ministries.
The Empty Bowls fundraiser event benefiting Yadkin Christian Ministries has become a much beloved tradition and continues to be popular despite a change in format. The first Empty Bowls was held in 2011. This year’s event is planned for March 21 at the Yadkinville Moose Lodge with two meal pick up options for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and dinner from 4 to 6:30 p.m. The event is already a sell out, said YCM Director Beth Steelman.
Traditionally the Empty Bowls event was a large community gathering with multiple soups made by area churches, but organizers have made changes in the wake of the pandemic. The food is now all from certified kitchens and the meal is served as take out rather than a seated meal. Despite this change, the fundraiser continues to sell out.
Steelman said as illness with COVID is still prevalent, the event is a drive-thru again this year.
“Our goal is to have a safe event that people feel comfortable attending,” she said. In the future, she said, the event could return to an in-person gathering.
Whether it’s a sit-down meal or soup on-the-go, the Yadkin community continues to support Empty Bowls.
Steelman said that support is invaluable.
Last year Yadkin Christian Ministries served 10,000 clients, distributing some 300,000 pounds of food.
“For us to meet the needs of our clients we need to distribute 25,000 to 30,000 pounds of food per month,” Steelman explained.
Recent cuts to federal food programs has lessened the amount of food that YCM can obtain from the regional food bank for distribution so the need is even greater for donations and community support.
Steelman said she continues to be amazed, year after year, with the support from area residents who donate food throughout the year either on their own, through their church or other organization and for special events like Empty Bowls.
“We appreciate so much the community affirming to us that they support not just us, but those less fortunate in our community as well.”
Ticket holders for this year’s Empty Bowls will receive a handmade pottery bowl, a quilt raffle ticket, Cracker Barrel vegetable beef soup, Taste of Italy salad with ranch dressing, Krispy Kreme doughnut and a bottle water.
For more information on Yadkin Christian Ministries visit www.y-c-m.org or call 336-677-3080. Yadkin Christian Ministries serves clients weekly at its Yadkinville location at 117 Woodlyn Dr. and East Bend location at 118 East N.C. 67 Hwy Bypass.
