The tithe from this year’s Empty Bowls Project will go to Samaritan’s Purse for Emergency Response to Tropical Cyclone Pam across the nation of Vanuatu.

Every year, ten percent of the proceeds of the Good Samaritan Ministries Empty Bowls Project is tithed to an organization that provides hunger relief internationally.

Three years ago, the tithe went to Samaritan’s Purse for tsunami relief in Japan. The year before last it went to Food for the Hungry to provide a clean water well in a village in Burundi. Last year, the tithe was made again to Food for the Hungry, this time to provide nutritious after-school snacks in community centers in Bolivia.

“Tithing from this project is a neat way that something we do here in Brown County can impact people in need around the world,” said Angelia Bostick, Executive Director of GSM. “We can not only positively affect those at risk of hunger in our own backyard but also those who are far off.”

For more information about the disaster relief in Vanuatu, CLICK HERE.

The Empty Bowls Project will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 24 at the Brownwood Coliseum. For a $10 ticket, diners can choose a hand-painted ceramic bowl and enjoy a very simple meal of soup and water. The bowls have been painted by various members of the community: schools, universities, nursing home residents, youth and church groups, among many others. The bowls are fired by Kohler. Soup is donated by local restaurants.

“It’s just an incredible community-oriented event designed not just for the purpose of bringing the community together in a unique way but to also raise awareness of hunger needs in Brown County,” said Bostick. “And I hope people can feel good about spending $10 or $25 for a lunch knowing how the proceeds will be used.”

The ninety percent that stays in Brown County will be divided among the six hunger ministries of GSM: the Food Pantry, the Food for Thought Program, the Deer Project, the Pig Project, Homeless Food Boxes and the Senior Care and Homebound Program.

For those who want an opportunity to choose their bowl first, a bowl preview will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the event for a $25 ticket.

Pre-sale tickets are available at Good Samaritan Ministries, the Runaway Train Café and Dr. Carol Boren’s office. Preview tickets are available at GSM. Tickets will also be available at the door.

For those have to get back to work, to-go containers are available.

For more information, please call 643-2273 or 325-203-2489.