A steady stream of shoppers made their way to the Heritage Center recently, eager to choose from this year’s enormous crop of hand-crafted bowls at the 29th annual Samaritan Center Soup Bowl: Empty Bowls – Full Hearts. The Bernard Egan Foundation was the presenting sponsor.
As it was last year, the all-day event was held solely at the Heritage Center, again minus vats of delicious, donated soup, but with the talents of local potters fully on display.
“We had over 1,700 bowls this year; it’s the most we’ve ever had produced,” said Renee Bireley, Samaritan Center development manager. “It has such a following and some people actually come in looking for specific artists.”
Bowls were displayed on long tables all throughout the room, which made it easier to see the vast variety available.
“We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback that everyone loves seeing all the bowls in one location.
In the past it really was a scavenger hunt. Two years ago, we had about 46 locations, so you literally would have to go to a lot of different locations. So this does resonate, but I have also gotten multiple comments, calls and emails asking, ‘Where’s the soup?’” said Bireley, adding that they may try a hybrid approach next year.
“Since we did not ask our local restaurants to supply us with donated soup, we asked them would they please support us by offering a gift certificate to their restaurant,” said Bireley. “That way we feel like it would drive traffic to the restaurant and help them out too.”
For the raffle this year, two fabulous soup tureens were crafted by artists Nancy Blair and Walford Campbell, and each came with four matching bowls.
Additionally, Bireley said, “we divvied up all of the restaurant gift certificates and whoever wins these gorgeous pieces of art will also get these gift certificates, valued at over $300.”
Bireley said they were excited to have the event at the Heritage Center, which comes with its own special history.
“And Indian River Clay really, really stepped up to the plate. They’re amazing. We had over 60 artists; that’s one of the most ever,” she said, noting that the number also included some independent potters. “It’s been a fabulous partnership.”
“There were several this year that were collaborations, which is something that we didn’t do in the past. So somebody throws and then somebody else decorates,” said Maria Sparsis, Indian River Clay board chair, selecting a piece thrown by Glenda Jackson that Jean Gaul decorated.
In addition to the artisans, there were another 40 or so volunteers who helped make it a successful event, said Bireley, adding: “It really is a true labor of love.”
A program of Catholic Charities, the Samaritan Center provides homeless families in Indian River County with transitional housing in a safe, nurturing environment, and guidance to prepare them for independent living. Proceeds support operating expenses, which are primarily funded by private donations, grants and two signature fundraisers, one of which is the Soup Bowl.
More than 1,000 bowls were sold at the event, but others are still being sold at Coffee House 1420 or by calling Bireley at 772-770-3039.
Photos by Kaila Jones
