Prince Frederick, MD – Early spring means one of Calvert County’s most popular fundraisers will draw a long, single-file line in anticipation of a wonderful meal. The 17th annual Empty Bowl Supper is scheduled for Saturday, April 1 at the St. John Vianney Family Life Center in Prince Frederick. The event is a blend of a buffet and craft fair as local restaurants, bakeries and caterers, as well as artisans collaborate to raise funds for Project ECHO.
“It’s coming along,” said Project ECHO Development Director Teressa Beavers of the 2017 supper. Beavers told TheBayNet.com that approximately two dozen local food-related businesses would be providing entrees to be served by volunteers. We’re doubling up on the cream of crab soup since it went so fast last year,” said Beavers.
Participating restaurants include Ledo’s, Hooters, Sweet Sue’s and Dreamweaver, along with Maryland Country Caterers. In addition to soups, salad, bread and wings, several vendors—including Bowen’s Grocery, the Rod ‘N’ Reel, Ruby Tuesday’s and Bob Evans—will be providing desserts.
Local artisans will be providing hand-crafted bowls that will be on display during the supper. Every ticket-holder may select one hand-crafted bowl to take home. Beavers added that this year several of the crafters have donated other works for the supper’s live and silent auction.
Live entertainment will be provided throughout the two-and-a-half hour supper. This year, pianist/singer Bill Resnick will be performing music for all diners’ enjoyment.
First held in Owings in 2001, the Empty Bowl Supper is one of Project ECHO’s major fundraisers. In 1992, the Ecumenical Council for Calvert County started Project ECHO (Ecumenical Council for Homeless Outreach) with the aim of providing shelter to homeless in the area. The following year, the council, comprised of several area churches, opened its first emergency shelter. A new shelter for over 40 people was opened in 2010. According to Beavers, in 2016 Project ECHO served over 580 people seeking shelter, a total of almost 13,000 bed nights. “We have a lot of programs to help people figure things out and get back on their feet,” said Beavers, who added Project ECHO has a parenting group and 12-Step meetings. There is now a program where small groups of homeless may meet with ministers and peers and discuss how to cope with their current situation. “It’s a fairly new program that’s been very successful,” said Beavers.
In 2016, the Empty Bowl Supper raised nearly $45,000. Beavers said she and the organization “would like to top that if we could. Everything for this event is donated. Anything is helpful. The money goes back into ECHO to keep us going.”
In addition to the volunteer food vendors, artisans, performer, the donated auction items and food servers, the event has several sponsors—Calvert Memorial Hospital, The Calverton School, Thomas L. Hance, Tidewater Dental, Floor Systems and HELP Association.
Beavers also mentioned that Project ECHO is planning to open a thrift store on Main Street in Prince Frederick. The organization is seeking volunteers to staff the store, which is expected to open in late April or early May.
Tickets for the 2017 Empty Bowl Supper are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Contact Beavers at 443-684-0987 or 410-535-0044 with any questions. You may also email her at ECHOdevelopment@comcast.net.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com