I learned about the Empty Bowl Supper a couple years ago when I was taking a pottery class at Jesus the Good Shepherd catholic church. It was winter time and though we were new potters, we were all given the option of donating a bowl to support the Project Echo.
This year, I was finally able to attend and choose a beautiful bowl, made by teacher, to bring home.
The Empty Bowl supper is an idea that started with potters in California and has found a home here. Every year, local galleries, artists, and schools donate hand-made pottery bowls. Local caterers and restaurants donate food. Other groups donate items for the silent auction, and people come by the hundreds to enjoy it all.
For $25 per person, you choose a bowl from a long line of them in all colors and shapes, then you eat, listen to live music, and can bid on some really fun things both in the raffle drawing and silent auction. You get a delicious dinner that you didn’t have to cook and a beautiful hand-made bowl, and your $25 goes straight to Project Echo, a Calvert County organization that provides food, shelter, support, and transitional housing to homeless men, women, and children.
It’s a beautiful thing and a fun time. Go because it’s fun and supports a great cause. Don’t go thinking this is a gourmet restaurant. The food is delicious, but you’re not getting a formal dinner. You’ll choose a soup, salad and may be some chicken wings. Dessert is delicious (CD Cafe donated Key Lime Pie this year). There are drinks. You’ll get enough to fill you up and you’ll be sitting in the large gymnasium at St. John Vianney, so bring the family. There’s plenty of room for everyone.
Do read over the menu first or you might miss something amazing. There’s some good stuff here.
What’s your favorite thing about Project Echo’s Empty Bowl Supper? Tell us in a comment below.