By Megan Wehring
DRIP SPRINGS — A Dripping Springs partnership continues its tradition of helping neighbors in need.
The Empty Bowls Project will return to its traditional in-person event on Sunday, November 6 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dripping Springs Ranch Park and Event Center. The fundraiser, co-sponsored by Dripping Springs Helping Hands and the City of Dripping Springs, helps alleviate hunger and food insecurity in the community.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Helping Hands board member and Empty Bowls Project volunteer Melissa Reese holds a painted bowl.
With donations of $25 per person at the door, patrons can choose a beautiful, handcrafted ceramic bowl and fill it with delicious soups from more than 30 area restaurants. Live music, beer and wine will complete the offer.
Proceeds from the Empty Bowls Project benefit Dripping Springs Helping Hands, a non-profit organization and food pantry that has served the community for 36 years. This annual event is a lifeline for the continued success of Helping Hands, whose mission is to provide the community of Dripping Springs with a compassionate care setting designed to help neighbors in times of need.
In 2021, Helping Hands provided over 205,000 pounds of food to families struggling to put food on their tables.
June Baumoel, one of the event co-chairs and a Helping Hands volunteer, said the annual fundraiser generates more than 65% of Helping Hands’ annual operating budget.
“Without a successful Empty Bowls event, we would not be able to meet the needs of our customers,” Baumoel said in a press release. “Over the past twelve months, food costs have reached unprecedented levels, leading to increased demand for food and temporary social services such as housing, utilities, transportation and medical aid. .”
Each year, more than 100 businesses and families champion the “call for sponsors”. To meet increased customer needs, the 25th Annual Empty Bowl Project has set a new fundraising goal to increase net income by 35% or $25,000. The event committee is reaching out to more people and businesses than ever before to achieve this goal.
For more information on how to become a sponsor, visit http://www.drippingsprings
emptybowls.org.
