Ann Cook is starting a bowl in the Pottery and Sculpture Studio. (Photo by Lee Crombie)
Peggy McGee
The annual Valley Assistance Services (VAS) Empty Bowls event is returning to Valley Presbyterian Church, 2800 S. Camino del Sol, on Feb. 19. COVID is requiring VAS to alter the event a bit, but the soup from 18 different local restaurants, including the Grill, and hand-crafted bowls will be available for you to choose from. Members of both the Quail Creek Pottery and Sculpture Studio and Ceramics Club artisans have generously given of their creative talents to design some unique bowls for this year’s event.
The idea behind Empty Bowls is to make people aware that many only get one bowl of soup per day, as their money goes toward rent, utilities, and gas for their cars. This is your chance to help the less fortunate while enjoying some satisfying soup.
This year, the Empty Bowls fundraising event will be a walk-through rather than sit-down occasion. As you enter the church, you will have the opportunity to try your luck in winning one of 40-plus raffle baskets and several silent auction items. The baskets include golf cart service, spa treatments, painting, food items, and more. One does not have to be present to win a raffle basket. You will then proceed to the food line where you can choose your soup to go. In addition to a 16-ounce container of soup, you will receive a slice of French bread and a cookie.
From there, you will choose your favorite bowl from hundreds of beautiful bowls to take home with you.
Tickets are on sale for $25 at Valley Assistance Services, 3950 Camino del Heroe (in the Springs development), Posada Java, the Green Valley/Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce, and Nancy Pantz, or by contacting Quail Creek resident Peggy McGee at [email protected] or 520-207-6188. You can also pre-purchase raffle tickets at 6 for $5, 14 for $10, and 30 for $20 at Valley Assistance Services or from Peggy McGee. This would give you an opportunity to put address labels and a phone number on them.
Joyful Spirit Ensemble will be playing while you walk through this great event.
This is Valley Assistance Services’ largest fundraising opportunity of the year. Please consider supporting their many programs. VAS is a 501(c)(3) charity that serves the local area.