The meal is simple– soup, bread and a cookie. Choose a beautiful bowl made with care by a local artist, and take it home as an unspoken reminder that somewhere in our community someone’s bowl is empty.

The Open Door’s 18th annual Empty Bowl Dinner will be held on Thursday, May 3, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Cruiseport Gloucester.  Extra parking is available at Good Harbor Beach with free trolley service provided by CATA to and from the event site. Tickets are $20 ($15 for children under 10) and available at the door. Cash, check or charge.

“The Open Door provides household stabilization with good food,” said Julie LaFontaine, executive director. “The Empty Bowl Dinner helps raise awareness of hunger in our community and supports our Summer Meals and Mobile Market programs with locations in Gloucester, Rockport and Ipswich.”

More than 1,000 bowls have been created for the event by community members young and old.  Silent Auction bowls include donated talent from local artists and professional potters. Soup has been comes from generous restaurants and caterers. 

“The event is an example of a community coming together,” said LaFontaine. “Each one contributes to make a successful evening, and the bowl goes home as a reminder that somewhere, someone’s bowl is empty.”

Last year The Open Door improved the health and lives of 7,747 individuals with 1,837,094 pounds of fresh produce, meals and groceries.

For more information call, 978-283-6776, or visit www.foodpantry.org