Changes to Empty Bowls this year

DOUBLE SPRINGS      - Organizers literally know how to dish it out when it comes to serving a variety of delectable soups at the annual Empty Bowls dinner.
This year’s Empty Bowls dinner is just a few weeks away, scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 2, at the Double Springs Municipal Building, with doors opening to the public at 4:30 p.m. instead of 5 p.m., as in previous years, noted Winston County Arts Council Vice President Theresa Snoddy.
One of the major changes in this year’s Empty Bowls is that no children’s tickets will be sold.  Children 6 and under will be admitted free, Snoddy explained.
Tickets for those 7 and older will be $12, and are being sold at the Arley Public Library and by all Arts Council members Main Street Ministries volunteers, organizers said.   Tickets will also be available at the same price at the door the night of event, organizers stated.
An entry ticket will be needed in order to pick out a ceramic bowl from the display table.
The event annually raises a total of $5,000, divided equally between the Winston County Arts Council and the Main

Street Ministries food giveaway program, which assists families throughout the county, organizers pointed out.
There will not be a silent auction as part of Empty Bowls this year, allowing more room for soup makers.
“We usually have 24 (vendors),” Snoddy noted.  “We’re hoping to have closer to 30 this time.”
Soup vendors are being added, since that is the major draw of the event, as the public files by to sample a  wide variety of delectable soups from individuals, businesses, restaurants, to the Wallace State Community College Culinary Arts students, Capstone Clinic and Winston County Jail’s kitchen workers.
Snoddy has also sent out an urgent plea for more vendors for this year’s event. Those who are interested in preparing a special soup, need to contact J.D. Snoddy, at (205) 489-6569.
“They get all the soup they can eat and water, bread and crackers,” Theresa pointed out.
The bake sale will continue to take place as part of Empty Bowls, Theresa added.
Those attending the event will need to show their ticket in order to pick out a colorful, handcrafted bowl made at the Winston County Pottery Workshop, located on the campus of Meek High School in Arley.