Urban Ministries of Durham’s 6th Annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser Takes Place March 8th

Durham was recently ranked as the most tolerant city in America - it is a town that takes care of its citizens - in part because its citizens take care of one another. The annual Empty Bowls fundraiser is a great example of how.

The annual battle for the “Best Soup in Durham” will take place Thursday, March 8th from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Durham Armory (220 Foster Street). Urban Ministries of Durham (UMD) will hold its sixth annual Empty Bowls event presented by RTI International to raise much-needed funds to help UMD serve over 200,000 meals a year to those in need.  New to this year’s event is an after party hosted by Fullsteam Brewery (726 Rigsbee Avenue) and Motorco (723 Rigsbee Avenue) at 8:00 pm featuring live music and a food truck round-up.

Empty Bowls features chefs from some of Durham’s finest restaurants such as blu seafood and bar, Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse, Revolution, Watts Grocery, Whole Foods Café, Toast, Thrills from the Grill, L’Uva, Saladelia Café, Guglhupf and Mad Hatter’s Café and Bakeshop. The chefs will present their tasty soups and battle for the title of “Best Soup in Durham.”  Tickets are $30 each and include a one-of-a-kind keepsake bowl created by local artisans at Claymakers, Clayworks Guild, Carrboro Clay, Havenhill Studios and Durham Arts Council.  There is also a $15 ticket available for attendees who just want to sample soup only. Children six and under can attend for free.

The “People’s Choice” award will be voted on by attendees and the “Judge’s Choice” award will be voted on by a panel of local celebrity judges including Locopops owner Summer Bicknell, Parker and Otis owner Jennings Brody, WTVD news anchor Tisha Powell, Fullsteam Brewery owner Sean Wilson and Independent Weekly editor Lisa Sorg. Frank Stasio, host of “The State of Things” on WUNC will be the evening’s emcee.

The after party at Fullsteam Brewery keeps the fundraising going with a food truck round-up featuring Pie Pushers, Will & Pops, The Parlour, Chirba Chirba, Klausie’s Pizza, Only Burger and The Sausage Wagon. Each truck will debut an “exclusive new dish” suitable for a bowl with 10% of their proceeds being donated to UMD.

“We are so pleased to see this annual event grow to include even more businesses and members of the community,” said UMD Executive Director Patrice Nelson.  “The demand for food, clothing and shelter continues to climb and the generosity of everyone involved with this event is inspiring and much appreciated.”

Last year’s event sold out with close to 800 attendees bringing in close to $30,000 for UMD. Due to the popularity of the event, attendees are encouraged to order tickets prior to the event.  To purchase tickets, stop by UMD at 410 Liberty Street or visit Urban Ministries of Durham's website.