Deb Joder, potter at the Reston Community Center, shows three bowls made for the "Empty Bowls" hunger relief event on Friday, April 13, at Floris United Methodist Church. Photo Contributed
The Giving Circle of HOPE will host its fifth annual "Empty Bowls," a benefit supper for hunger relief, on Friday, April 13, from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Floris United Methodist Church, 13600 Frying Pan Road, Herndon. All proceeds will go directly to Food for Others, the largest distributor of free food to needy people in Northern Virginia.
For a minimum donation of $20, guests will choose a handcrafted pottery bowl and receive a simple supper of soup, bread, beverage and dessert. The bowl is theirs to keep to remind them that there are "empty bowls" in our community. Only 500 tickets will be sold this year and they are available by sending a check ($20/ticket) made out to Food for Others and sent by April 9 to Giving Circle of HOPE, P.O. Box 8832, Reston VA 20195. The tickets will be held at the door. For confirmation, an email address must be included with payment.
Many community groups partner in this event. Food contributors include Clyde's of Reston, Montmartre Cafe, Jasmine Cafe, Great Harvest Bread Company, Chantel's Bakery, Amphora Restaurant and Stone's Cove Kitbar. Other donors include Zumba Fitness with Vanessa, Cooking with Sandy, Russia House Restaurant, Reston Sport and Health, Olive Garden, Salon Nordine and Day Spa, Origins Thai Spa and potters from Clay Connection, Bowman House, Clay Cafe, Herndon Community Center and Reston Community Center.
"Last year, the event was sold out and we raised almost $19,500 for hunger relief," said Linda Strup, president of the Giving Circle of HOPE, a Reston-based organization that promotes volunteerism and effective philanthropy. "This year the needs are even greater and we expect the response to be greater as well."
For questions, including to find out after April 10 if tickets will be available at the door, call 703-665-9334.