The 21st annual Empty Bowl Project fundraiser for Bean's Cafe will take place in one month. It's the biggest event the charity holds and one of the most successful benefits in the state, bringing in an estimated $100,000 a year to help feed hungry Alaskans. Local artists make custom bowls -- some beautiful, some peculiar, all suitable for the purpose of holding soup -- that are sold to patrons who then get to fill them with unlimited soup and accompanying cornbread at the big feed.
But the chow-down has become so popular that Bean's worries they'll run out of bowls. They're asking any artist, novice or professional, to toss a pot for a good cause -- whether that's ceramic, glass, wood or paper mache.
They're also asking patrons from previous years who may have accumulated a small trove of bowls to return any they can bear to part with. The bowls will be cleaned and reused, and donors will receive double karma points.
Drop off bowls between between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday at 731 I St. , Suite 201. That's the little brown building on the corner of Eighth Avenue and I Street right behind the Marriott. If you have something to drop off after hours, email mwebber@beanscafe.org or call 907-433-8608.
As for the event itself, it will be held from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday, March 12, at the giant Dena'ina Convention Center. There'll be live music, a kid zone, an art exhibit and a silent auction. Tickets are on sale at beanscafe.org. Bring your own bowl and enjoy the soup and cornbread for $10. Get the grub and one of the bowls for $30. Or give $50 and get private entry and your choice of handmade bowls.
By the way, the winning bean soup recipes chosen for this year's menu are a Bean Medley by Shawn Dinkins and a Italian Sweet Sausage and White Bean soup by Kari Hall. Bon appétit.