The Hightstown Cultural Arts Commission is collaborating with the Rise Food Pantry to sponsor its second Empty Bowls event from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at the Banquet Hall of Hightstown Engine Company No. 1 on North Main Street in Hightstown., Empty Bowls is a program that engages participating artists to create and donate handmade bowls in which a simple meal is served to a gathering of caring community members., Local ceramic artist Adam Welch created a limited edition of 250 hand-thrown stoneware soup bowls for the event, and students at Hightstown High School are creating another 50 handmade bowls for the event., Ticket buyers will select a bowl to fill with hot soup from Hightstown eateries. Food sponsors to date include 12 Farms, Byrne Café & Deli, Tavern on the Lake, Pompier Catering, Mannino’s & Morgan’s Island Grill., Hightstown Cultural Arts Commission Co-Chairs, Ann Marie Miller and Adam Welch, said last year’s inaugural Empty Bowls event successfully raised more than $6,000 for Rise’s Food Pantry., “We were thrilled with community support for the first Empty Bowls. From the stunning array of handmade soup bowls to the delicious, restaurant offerings, it was a sold out gathering,” said Miller. “We look forward to another successful evening filled with smiling faces of generous community members who found a delicious and artful way to give back.”, Rise, the community services organization based in Hightstown, is part of a countywide Nutritional Alliance that served more than 325 families in 2015., “We are planning to use the proceeds from Empty Bowls to purchase fresh produce for distribution at the Rise Food Pantry,” said Rise Executive Director Leslie Koppel. “We appreciate the generous support of individuals and groups from our community.”, Net proceeds from this year’s event will also support future arts programs in Hightstown including arts workshops, public art and, Hightstown’s annual summer Theatre in the Park., Tickets for the event are $35 and may be purchased online through eventbrite.com and at the Greater Goods stores in Hightstown. Ticket buyers do not need to be present at the event to reserve their one-of-a-kind soup bowl.
