Soup’s on for the Empty Bowl luncheon, auction

October 29, 2009
Jacksonville Daily Progress

Piping hot soup will be served up at the Empty Bowl luncheon Nov. 1.

Planned to support various hunger programs of HOPE, the event will be 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Norman Activity Center in Jacksonville.

Shirley Reese, a registered nurse at HOPE, said she encourages residents to come to the soup luncheon.

“For $10 per person or $30 for a family, people can sample all the soup bowls we’ll have,” she said. “There will also be a silent auction for celebrity-autographed soup bowls.”

The ticket price includes a ceramic bowl, unlimited soup tasting, bread, beverage, dessert and the rest of the lunch-time activities.

Vicki Griffin, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville, said there will be an autographed mug from Patrick Dempsey, who plays Derek Shepherd on the popular television show “Grey’s Anatomy”, and his wife Jillian. The two have a second home in Jacksonville.

“Churches will make the soup,” Griffin said. “There will be up to 20 different types of soup and an opportunity to vote on your favorite.”

Some of the churches have even held cook-offs to ensure only the best tasting soup makes it to the luncheon on Sunday, Griffin said.

In addition to the autographed pieces in the silent auction, there will be hand-made pots or mugs, some of which are signed by local figures such as State Rep. Chuck Hopson or ministers from Jacksonville.

Griffin said she is expecting good attendance from the entire community, and also said the entry price is an especially good deal for families of more than three.

“The soup will be wonderful, and the ticket price goes to feed hungry people in Jacksonville,” she said, “and I know we have a lot of hungry people in Jacksonville who have lost their jobs.”

Live entertainment will be provided by the Lykins family, a family group that has performed at the Texas State Railroad and many bluegrass venues and festivals around East Texas and as far away as Colorado.

For more information or tickets, call the Helping Others Pursue Enrichment Center at 903-586-4975 or visit www.hopecenter.info.