Soup Bowl tradition helps local charities feed hungry

Hundreds of ceramic bowls lined the tables of the Bloomington Convention Center Sunday night. Some had intricate shapes and forms, while others barely held their contents. Some were made by children and others were designed by professionals. The bowls were not on display though; each was donated to benefit the area's hungry. \nThe 11th annual Soup Bowl, a benefit for the Hoosier Hills Food Bank, was held this weekend at the Bloomington Convention Center. It combined the talents of local artists, the efforts of volunteers and the generosity of hundreds of residents.\n"The event is a nice mix of artistry and hunger relief," said Amy Robinson, Hoosier Hills director. "It's just a huge gift to the food bank from the community."\nThe Soup Bowl is the food bank's largest fund-raiser, both because of the volume of participants and the amount of money raised. Robinson said that about 600 people attended Sunday's event, accumulating close to $300,000. \nRobinson also said she wants people to understand how far the money goes. \n"A $20 donation allows us to provide 100 meals to people, so the money raised will really go a long way, feeding thousands of people," she said.\nThe food bank provides food for 85 soup kitchens and free meal centers in six area counties.\n"You don't usually think about hunger being in your own community. But there's been an increase in need here," said Carrie Newcomer, Bloomington musician and organizer of the event. \nShe said the fund-raiser is organized by a small group of about 10 volunteers each year. Newcomer has been involved with the Soup Bowl since it began 11 years ago.\n"What I love about this event is that everybody wins," Newcomer said. "It's just a happy event."\nAttendees paid $20 and chose from hundreds of ceramic bowls. Local artists made most of them, but IU and Bloomington elementary students donated some bowls as well. Each bowl was then washed and filled with one of nearly 20 different soups, which were donated by local restaurants as well. \nFor some attendees, the Soup Bowl is more than just a fund-raiser. Bloomington resident Flo Davis said she has come for several years and enjoys coming back to see people she has met.\n"It's fun, you see your friends and get a beautiful pottery bowl," Davis said. "Groups of people come together. It's a community thing."\nIn addition to the soup bowls, a silent auction was also available to accept additional donations. Various local businesses, including Circuit City and Oliver Winery donated items for bidding. \n"It was great to donate something," said Angelo Pizzo, writer and producer of the movie "Hoosiers." "This was such a good thing to be involved with, even in a small way."\nPizzo was at the event with his family and donated an autographed DVD of the film.\n"It's amazing how everything here is 100 percent volunteers and donations," he said. "What a great event."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Kelly Ginty at kginty@indiana.edu.