Big turnout at ‘Empty Bowl’ event in Chestnut Hill

November 15, 2012
  • <p><p>Mike McGrath of WHYY’s “You Bet Your Garden” is at the event as a special guest and to answer any questions regarding gardening. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Mike McGrath of WHYY’s “You Bet Your Garden” is at the event as a special guest and to answer any questions regarding gardening. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>At this table, Yossi Ravital, 6, Ginai Ravital, Lucas Jaeger, 11 and Micah Ravital, 10 eat dessert. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>At this table, Yossi Ravital, 6, Ginai Ravital, Lucas Jaeger, 11 and Micah Ravital, 10 eat dessert. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>People look at the table where the desserts are displayed. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>People look at the table where the desserts are displayed. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>"A tremendous effort goes in it to make this event happen" says NPIHN Executive Director Rachel Falcove. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>"A tremendous effort goes in it to make this event happen" says NPIHN Executive Director Rachel Falcove. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>In the past, senior Jessica Viecey (2nd from left) volunteered. This year, she wanted to experience the event herself. She shares a table with fellow CHC students, Skylar Stilwagen, Kalo Giannone, Thomas Pipitone and Gabriel Hinninger. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>In the past, senior Jessica Viecey (2nd from left) volunteered. This year, she wanted to experience the event herself. She shares a table with fellow CHC students, Skylar Stilwagen, Kalo Giannone, Thomas Pipitone and Gabriel Hinninger. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>At the first seating, the lines appeared reasonable. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>At the first seating, the lines appeared reasonable. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Thirty restaurants from the region donated soup. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Thirty restaurants from the region donated soup. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>A cupcake sits among hundreds of other desserts. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>A cupcake sits among hundreds of other desserts. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Plates with desserts are placed on the stage before being handed out. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Plates with desserts are placed on the stage before being handed out. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>In the 14 years at Chestnut Hill College, the Empty Bowl event has grown so big that it now takes two seatings to serve the community. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>In the 14 years at Chestnut Hill College, the Empty Bowl event has grown so big that it now takes two seatings to serve the community. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Ronia Bacon, 4, shows the blue bowl that she picked. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Ronia Bacon, 4, shows the blue bowl that she picked. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Volunteers made 1,600 bowls. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Volunteers made 1,600 bowls. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

  • <p><p>Guests pick a handmade bowl from which to dine. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p></p>

    <p>Guests pick a handmade bowl from which to dine. (Bas Slabbers/for NewsWorks)</p>

The 14th Annual Empty Bowl Dinner at Chestnut Hill College was held Wednesday night inside the private institution’s Sorgenti Arena.

The event, hosted by the college and Northwest Philadelphia Interfaith Hospitality Network, asks area businesses, schools and artists to donate handcrafted bowls, which participants then pay to have filled with soups donated by local restaurants.

Diners also walk away with the bowl and a good feeling knowing they’ve supported NPIHN’s mission to help residents who have lost their homes.

“A tremendous effort goes in it to make this event happen,” said Rachel Falcove, who heads NPIHN. “It symbolizes the whole concept behind NPIHN. Nobody does that much. Everybody does a little task and together we make a great thing happen.”

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This year, close to 1,600 people grabbed a seat inside the large gym. Kary Bacon, a Mt. Airy resident, was among them.

“It is a community event where you see old friends and where you meet new friends and you help people who are hungry,” said Bacon as she sat and ate with a group of friends.

This year’s attendance warranted the need for two dining times and off-campus parking arrangements. Falcove smiled as she surveyed a packed first setting.

“Events [like this] can never be too big to end the tragedy for family homelessness,” said Falcove, whose organization is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

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