PUTNAM — Once again the Congregational Church of Putnam (Mission Outreach) and Sawmill Pottery are teaming up with local businesses and restaurants on behalf of the Daily Bread Food Pantry, a key service of Interfaith Human Services of Putnam (IHSP), to host the Empty Bowl Project – an international grassroots effort to fight hunger.

The Fourth Annual Empty Bowl Project fund-raiser will take be March 21 at 4:45 and at 6 p.m. March 21 at Elks Lodge on Edmond Street.

Organizer Terri Pearsall, with the Congregational Church, is excited about the new location. “I think having it at the Elks Lodge will give us more room to display soups and bowls,” she said.

Unable to stay for dinner? Just buy the bowl - all proceeds will benefit the Daily Bread Food Pantry.

Tickets are $20 and are available at Sawmill Pottery, 112 Main St., (860) 963-7807, or by calling the church office at (860) 928-4405. Many IHSP board members also have tickets. 

The idea behind the Empty Bowl Project is a simple one. Community members are invited to a simple meal of soup and bread, provided by local restaurants and local cooks. In exchange for a cash donation, guests keep their hand-crafted soup bowl as a reminder of all of the empty bowls in the world. Funds raised are donated to an organization like Daily Bread, “working to end hunger and food insecurity.” 

Here in Putnam, participants will choose from one of 200 bowls created and donated by local artisans at Sawmill Pottery, including owner Dot Burnworth, before enjoying a hearty soup, provided by a well-regarded local restaurant or community chef. Delicious breads and sumptuous desserts will also be served.

In 2012, the Empty Bowls Supper raised just over $3,000 for Daily Bread. Sawmill Pottery made 169 bowls for the event. There was only one seating and folks were lined up out the door of the Congregational Church, all the way to Cargill Chevrolet, waiting patiently, for their chance to taste local soups and breads.

Interfaith Human Services of Putnam is an all-volunteer, 501c3 non-profit charitable organization that offers many programs and services to northeastern Connecticut.