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Altrusa awards $29,000 from Empty Bowls fundraiser to six local groups

Altrusa International of Gig Harbor awarded $29,000 raised at the March 4 Empty Bowls event to six groups that provide food to families and children.

Over the past eight years, Empty Bowls events provided more than $130,000 to feed families in the Peninsula School District.

Organizations benefitting from the 2023 Empty Bowls event include Gig Harbor Peninsula FISH Food Bank, Food Backpacks 4Kids, The Red Barn, Harbor Hope Center, the Boys & Girls Club of Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula Community Services.

Local potters and woodworkers have contributed more than 600 handmade bowls to this year’s Empty Bowls.

“It’s extremely rewarding for our whole club and for myself to be able to provide a way to help provide access to food for those in our community who are struggling,” said Marla DeHope, Altrusa Foundation board president.  “Next year’s Empty Bowls is scheduled for March 2, and we are looking forward to even more businesses and people joining the effort!”

How it works

Empty Bowls brings together local potters, restaurants, nonprofits and volunteers for a simple meal of soup and bread to reflect the reality of many of our neighbors.

Local potters and woodworkers contribute hundreds of handmade bowls that visitors can purchase. Prices start at $10. Local restaurants donate soup and bread.

Customers get a bowl of soup for every bowl they buy.

In 2023, the menu included lentil soup from Sunset Grill; cowboy chili from BBQ2U; Manhattan clam chowder from KettleFish; cauliflower potato curry soup from Table 47; roasted tomato and basil soup from Morso; clam chowder from Anthony’s; mulligatawny from Harbor General Store; and creamy lemon chicken soup from Massimo. Panera is contributing fresh baguettes.

Sponsors and supporters add to the fund and the Altrusa Foundation awards the total raised.

Shoppers look over some of the bowls for sale at the 2022 Empty Bowls.