Empty Bowls fundraiser in Tucson meets tasty ladlefuls of soup

Shannon Lamy, left, and her mother, Shirley, sample tomato basil bisque, one of several offerings at last Saturday's second Annual Empty Bowls fundraiser for Interfaith Community Services. During the past months, artists and volunteers crafted some 1,260 bowls, and people at the event could …

Empty Bowls fundraiser in Tucson meets tasty ladlefuls of soup

Artist April Newman explains some of the workmanship and glazes on the bowls to friend Tim Collins. A member of the Society of Arizona Clay Artists, Newman worked on some of the bowls as a volunteer.

Empty Bowls fundraiser in Tucson meets tasty ladlefuls of soup

Those attending the event at the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center, 1288 W. River Road, could choose their own hand-made ceramic bowl, included with the $15 admission.

Empty Bowls fundraiser in Tucson meets tasty ladlefuls of soup

Hundreds were able to sample soups, breads and desserts from about 20 vendors at the Empty Bowls fundraiser.

Empty Bowls fundraiser in Tucson meets tasty ladlefuls of soup

Pots of soup were set up around the perimeter of the room. The benefit helps Interfaith Community Services, which provides food, monetary aid and other services to people all over Pima County.

Empty Bowls fundraiser in Tucson meets tasty ladlefuls of soup

More than 70 volunteers worked in shifts to serve food, clear tables, wash dishes, warm soup, sell raffle tickets and organize the event.

Empty Bowls fundraiser in Tucson meets tasty ladlefuls of soup

"Empty Bowls" fundraiser in Tucson to fill food bank's need

For $15 you can pick out a handmade ceramic bowl and get all kinds of tasty edibles. Your money will go to the Interfaith Community Services Food Bank.

"Empty Bowls" fundraiser in Tucson to fill food bank's need

It's not often that for just $15 you can sample a nearly unlimited amount of soup and accompaniments from several notable Tucson restaurants, plus take home a handmade ceramic bowl.

These bowls will do double duty

Jane Sterritt, left, watches as her mother, Annie Huggins, applies a pattern to clay that will eventually become a bowl for the 2013 Empty Bowls Interfaith Community Services fundraiser.

These bowls will do double duty

About 50 people gathered at Resurrection Lutheran Church on North First Avenue last Saturday for the "bowl-a-thon." The goal is to make 1,000 bowls.

These bowls will do double duty

Barbara Mulleneaux demonstrates the bowl-making process. At the March 16 Empty Bowls fundraiser to fight hunger, people will pay for a lunch of soup and get to take home a hand-made bowl of their choice.