Empty Bowls fundraiser supports food pantry in Tuscaloosa

Grace Presbyterian Church is preparing for its 17th annual Empty Bowls fundraiser on March 26. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the church's Fellowship Hall located at 113 Hargrove Road. The aim is to raise awareness about food insecurity in Tuscaloosa. Proceeds from this event will support the church’s Table of Grace food pantry. This pantry serves nearly 2,500 people each month. Emily Altman, the pantry's executive director, expressed gratitude for the community's support since they opened a new market-style pantry in 2023. She emphasized the importance of this fundraiser in continuing to fight food insecurity locally. For a suggested donation of $25, attendees can enjoy live entertainment, a simple meal, and choose a hand-crafted bowl to take home. The University of Alabama’s Art and Art History Department will provide over 200 bowls for the event. The meal will include soup, bread, and water. Attendees can also pay an extra $5 for a bowl of soup to take home. The minimalist meal serves to remind participants that many in West Alabama struggle to access sufficient and quality food. The empty bowl symbolizes the reality of hunger for many people. The Empty Bowls idea started in 1990 in Michigan and has become a nationwide effort to combat hunger. For more details about the event, interested individuals can call 205-758-1193 or visit the church's website.