Group's transportation help is lifeline

Doug and Nancy Cassidy load up a van with groceries. They volunteer with Interfaith Community Services, which has expanded its transportation assistance to the Picture Rocks area. The agency now operates the "Care-a-Van" to help people in need with chores and other needs.

Group's transportation help is lifeline

Chuck Strauss, right, gets a helping hand with groceries from Doug Cassidy, a volunteer driver with Interfaith Community Services. Strauss said the service has been a major help.

Group's transportation help is lifeline

Living in an isolated, rural environment such as Picture Rocks has its advantages, but it also has some major drawbacks for those without transportation.

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

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.

These bowls will do double duty

Peggy Valley, left in photo at right, sprays oil onto a bowl held by Annette Dixon that will be a form used to shape their clay.

These bowls will do double duty

Maria Ho-Fung, left, adds a base on her overturned bowl. Those making bowls ranged from professionals to novices.

Hand-made bowls will do double duty

Piano concert Sunday to benefit Interfaith Community Services

has performed with many diverse groups.

Piano concert Sunday to benefit Interfaith Community Services

Pianist and composer Greg Starr will perform a concert to benefit a local nonprofit that helps 25,000 people a year in Pima County.

Groups pull together for Bag-A-Thon

Volunteer Ben Pate from Mt. Victory Baptist church keeps busy shuttling full boxes of donated food at the Edward Jones office at 10355 N. La Cañada Drive.

Groups pull together for Bag-A-Thon

American Heritage Girls member Claire Osborne, left, gets a hand from Senior Patrol Leader Jane Fairchild as they sort donations during a food drive for Interfaith Community Services.