Another 'soup-er' Empty Bowls event

PERKINS TWP. — Now in its 10th year, a local nonprofit continues to receive overwhelming community support at its No. 1 and most popular fundraising event. As in prior years, the latest installment of Empty Bowls — with the 2025 event taking place Monday at The Winerie on Hayes Avenue (Ohio 4) in Sandusky — helps carry out OHgo's mission of providing meals for underserved population segments. OHgo represents the area's leading organization in feeding lesser-privileged locals. "It has always been important for us at OHgo to not just fight hunger but to build relationships," OHgo's co-founder Christine Boesch said. "I feel like the Empty Bowls event is a good illustration of that." Boesch then extended her appreciation to the nearly 400 people in attendance at Monday's event. Through their donations and a matching grant provided by the Wightman-Wieber Charitable Foundation, this year's Empty Bowls event raised $50,000. "This event helps OHgo distribute enough food to provide over 1 million meals to locals in need each year," Boesch said. "In partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank, local farmers, sponsors, recurring donors and our amazing volunteers, we are able to feed around 8,000 individuals every month," she added. "We are thankful for their generosity and the support of our community to make empty bowls such a memorable evening." Background into the bowls Here's where the empty bowls mantra comes into play. Empty Bowls strives to create awareness and build up resources in hopes of providing well-balanced, nutritional meals for underprivileged community members. "The Empty Bowls project helps fight hunger one bowl at a time," an event statement read. Upon entering the venue, guests saw rows of hand-painted bowls stacked atop one another on a table, signifying something impactful, organizers said. Local artists and volunteers created these bowls in the weeks leading up to Empty Bowls. "The empty bowls are a symbol of the need in our community, and I'm blown away, every year, as the community steps up to fill that need," Boesch said. "It's exciting to be a part of events that support not only a great cause but also meaningful connections." And with these bowls, for a donation going to OHgo, people could receive soups, chilis, desserts and more provided by area small businesses. For note, every ticket purchased to Empty Bowls should serve three local families for a month, Boesch said. "The empty bowls represent the people we hope to serve in our community who are unsure of where their next meal will come from," the statement read. "Guests will be able to keep their bowl year after year as a reminder of the difference we can make together." Beyond the food — coming from 15 soup and six dessert vendors — people also enjoyed live entertainment, received paintings from a local caricature artist and took pictures in a photo booth. Among the talent and businesses on hand: Rock & Roll Express Entertainment Co., Abby Hoffman with Hoffman Art, Sean Carroll, Hudson's Herf Cigar Bar, Acoustic Scotty. The Winerie, meanwhile, donated its venue space for this event. "This event is a favorite for many," Boesch said. "We try to involve as many handcrafted works as possible. Every floral centerpiece, fresh-made food, live painting, crafted bowl and musical performance of the night showcases our local talent." Filling the void Empty Bowls supports OHgo's many services, such as the mobile food and local school pantries. Volunteers fill vehicles with food and travel to lower-income neighborhoods and area educational facilities, where locals in need — especially those with no means of transportation — can receive groceries, produce and meat all at no cost. From the 8,000 monthly locals served, this would include 400 food boxes delivered to area senior citizens. The nonprofit also supplies 42 local school pantries through various pantry programs. OHgo's leadership continues to provide more than 1 million meals a year, and fundraisers like this help fund those efforts. This past year, from September 2024 to September 2025, OHgo provided 1.5 million meals to locals. Now a decade into existence, the need for OHgo's services hasn't wavered one bit. In fact, they're seemingly more important than ever. "This October, OHgo celebrates a decade of making a difference," said Boesch, who co-founded the nonprofit with her friend, Kendra Faulkner, in 2015. "Here's to the ones who have put their love into action so many times over the last 10 years who have helped strengthen those when they're weak and have been a friend," Boesch said. "Please keep caring, loving and learning. Please keep showing up." She continued: "Here's to the ones who are in a season of struggle, and you still find the courage somehow to fight. Keep fighting. We promise to persist alongside you." People can learn more about OHgo's services by visiting ohgoreach.org.