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The Dripping Springs Empty Bowls Project returns this weekend for its 28th year, serving up soups with a side of community service. It will be held on Nov. 2 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Dripping Springs Ranch Park.
The event benefits Dripping Springs Helping Hands, the local food pantry. It’s the group’s largest fundraiser, providing approximately 65% of its annual budget. Patrons purchase a hand-crafted bowl, and then fill it with a soup of their choice from one of the many participating chefs. There is a large variety of soup, from curries to chicken noodle and baked potato to pumpkin. All are homemade, and there are options for those with special dietary restrictions.
Dripping Springs Empty Bowls was started by Bill and Bridget Hauser, owners of Sunset Canyon Pottery, in 1997. They were familiar with other national empty bowl projects and decided it was something they wanted to do here. The event was held in their pottery studio for many years. Dripping Springs Ranch Park became home to the project in 2017, as the event continued to grow.
Each year, local artists create more than 1,200 bowls for the event, and the chefs cook up more than 150 gallons of soup.
The new owner of Sunset Canyon Pottery, John Vela, who was employed by the Housers for 18 years, has continued to provide pottery for the event. Art Garage Austin also donates many bowls each year, often created by their young artists.
There’s also live music at the event. This year’s lineup includes The Cunningham Sisters, Ryker Pantano and Vaughan Segers.
Organizers hope that in addition to raising funds for the food pantry, the event will raise awareness about the issue of food insecurity in the community, and that donations will help “fill a bowl” for those less fortunate.
The cost of the event is $25 per person, which includes the keepsake bowl. In addition to the soup, there are also breads and desserts available, and there are several participating breweries and wineries serving up beverages. Tickets are available at the door.
