The holiday season is a time for giving, nourishing and warming hearts as the chill of winter begins to settle in. What could be better than giving while nourishing and warming your soul with homemade soup in a one-of-a-kind handmade bowl?
The Empty Bowl Brunch, sponsored by The Mountain View Art Alliance, has been an annual holiday event for the past 17 years that benefits various local charities in Cobb County. Nelah Gabler, an art instructor and volunteer, brought the holiday idea to The Art Place at Mountain View after attending a similar event at an out-of-town conference.
“We (the MVAA) thought it would be a great way to give back to the community,” said Gabler. The beneficiary of 2018’s brunch will be MUST Ministries. “It was a good way to reach a lot of people in need as they (MUST) serve people of all backgrounds and help to improve their lives as well as feed them.”
Hand-thrown bowls, made by pottery teachers and students at The Art Place at Mountain View, are donated for sale to The Empty Bowl Brunch. Volunteers make soups that vary from year to year. Chili, vegetable soup, chicken noodle soup, Brunswick stew, beef stew, tomato basil soup and soups with Jamaican and Mexican flavors have been served.
Renee Speenberg, a potter and pottery instructor at The Art Place, has been involved since the beginning, first as a volunteer, then as a member of the MVAA. Not only does she organize the event, but she oversees the making of 250 handmade bowls and recruits volunteers to make soup, desserts and to work the event.
Over $30,000 has been given to various charities since the inception of The Empty Bowl Brunch. This year’s brunch will take place Dec. 9 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The line begins around 10:30 a.m. Tickets are available at the door. The Art Place accepts credit cards, cash or check made out to MVAA.
“People love this event,” said Gabler, “you get to break bread together, take home a beautiful bowl and know your funds spent benefit others.”
Information: http://tapmarietta.com
Who’s doing good?
Each Sunday, we write about a deserving individual, charity events such as fun-runs, volunteer projects and other community gatherings that benefit a good cause. To suggest an event or person for us to cover, contact us at ajc.doinggood@gmail.com.
About the Author
