Diners help fill up local food pantries

by Melissa Martin

The Empty Bowls Dinner Project, presented by the Brecksville Kiwanis and Broadview Heights Lions Clubs, was once again a sold-out event as hundreds of guests dined on a simple meal of soup, salad and bread.

As part of the April 25 dinner at the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center, guests had their choice of 12 different varieties of soup to choose from and were also treated to pizza, a new menu item for 2023. The proceeds from the $15 per person donation, were donated to the Brecksville Food Bank and the South Hills Lend-a-Hand food pantry in Broadview Heights.

The soup, as is custom, was served in handmade ceramic or wooden bowls crafted by the North Coast Woodturners, Morgan Tigelaar Designs and Rick DelPoso Ceramics. The bowls are intended to serve as a reminder of all the hungry people in the world whose bowls often remain empty night after night.

Food was donated by local restaurants, including Augie’s, Austin’s, Blue Habanero, Creekside Restaurant, Danny Boys, East of Chicago Pizza, Farinacci Pizza, Frankie’s Wok, London Pickle Works, Mastro’s, Michael Angelo’s, Reinecker’s, Royal Breakfast & More, Simon’s, Sirna’s, The 3 Spot, Valenti’s Ristorante and Zoup! ∞