On Saturday, November 7th, I had the pleasure of attending Empty Bowls New Bern. This event is organized by The Salvation Army of Craven County and several local businesses and organizations as a way to raise funds and awareness for those in need in our community. For a small donation, attendees receive a handcrafted bowl of their choice and a simple meal of soup and bread. The event also features live music and other activities. I was impressed by the overall atmosphere and ambiance of the event and its focus on supporting our local community. Here are some more details about Empty Bowls New Bern.
Event Details:
The Salvation Army of Craven County is the primary organizer of Empty Bowls New Bern, but the event would not be possible without the support of many local businesses and organizations. Some of these include Harris Teeter, Lowe’s Foods, Mother Earth Brewing, New Bern Parks & Recreation, Tryon Palace Gardens, and more. The purpose of Empty Bowls is to raise funds for The Salvation Army’s hunger relief programs in Craven County. These programs provide meals for those in need throughout the year, including during Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Empty Bowls New Bern takes place from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm on Saturday, November 7th at Union Point Park in Downtown New Bern. Admission is free, but attendees are encouraged to make a donation of $10 or more to receive a handcrafted bowl made by local potters. COVID-19 safety measures will be in place, including temperature checks upon entry and social distancing throughout the event. Masks are required when not seated at your table.
Event Experience:
I arrived at Union Point Park just before 11:00 am and was greeted by a friendly volunteer who checked my temperature and directed me to the registration table. I was given my choice of several different handcrafted bowls made by local potters and then directed to the food line where I received my soup and bread. I found a seat at one of the socially distanced tables set up around the park and enjoyed my meal while listening to live music from a local band.
I was really impressed with the overall atmosphere of the event. It was well-organized and there was a great variety of soups and slices of bread to choose from. I especially appreciated the focus on supporting our local community through The Salvation Army’s hunger relief programs.
Community Impact:
One of the things that make Empty Bowls New Bern so special is its focus on giving back to our local community. The proceeds from this event go towards The Salvation Army’s hunger relief programs in Craven County, which provide meals for those in need throughout the year, including during Thanksgiving and Christmas. I had a chance to speak with Major Ronnie Mitchell, Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army of Eastern North Carolina, about the impact of this event on our community.
“Since we started hosting Empty Bowls New Bern five years ago, we have raised over $50,000 to support our hunger relief programs,” Major Mitchell said. “These programs provide meals for thousands of people in need throughout Craven County every year.”
Major Mitchell went on to say that events like Empty Bowls New Bern are so important because they help raise awareness about hunger in our community and provide an opportunity for people to get involved in helping those in need.
Conclusion:
Overall, I was really impressed with Empty Bowls New Bern and its focus on supporting our local community through The Salvation Army’s hunger relief programs. If you’re looking for a way to give back this holiday season, I would highly recommend attending this event or donating to one of The Salvation Army’s hunger relief programs. For more information about Empty Bowls New Bern or The Salvation Army’s hunger relief programs, please visit www.salvationarmycarolinasorg/newbern/empty-bowls-new-born.
