Arts, entertainment, and soup fill hearts and stomachs in the community.
The 15th Annual Empty Bowls Project to benefit United Food Bank of Plant City (UFB) took place on Saturday at the Robert W. Willaford Rail Museum. From 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., music echoed throughout downtown Plant City as hundreds of people came out for the festivities. With the purchase of a $10 ticket, they had the chance to sample 28 soups and chilis cooked by 25 chefs; among them were Moroccan turkey chili, smoked chicken and white bean chili, smoked meat stew, Fire Rescues’ chorizo soup, and the Police Department’s specialty chili.
The community event, brought together artists, students, chefs, and a lot of volunteers, united by one mission: to help ensure no one in the community goes hungry. Guests come to the event for a day of family fun while helping the community. They not only shared a soup meal but also took away a keepsake bowl made by local students.
Jeff Kuenning and his family live in Plant City. “Some of the family had an opportunity to go last year, and they really enjoyed it,” he said. “We’re coming out to support the community. It all goes to a great cause, and it is another excuse to get downtown and walk around on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. I would recommend it for anyone moving forward; great event and music. The food is fantastic and we will definitely come again.”
This year, the program made changes to the format. Reverend Timothy Knighton, Pastor at St. Mary Community Church, who has supported this fundraiser since the beginning, gave an invocation, and Reverend Dean Pfeffer, a Board Member for UFB, said the closing prayer. “It is important to keep prayer in the event that brings the community together to help those in need,” Silvia Dodson, a UFB Board Member who has orchestrated the event since it began, said. “All these changes brought people together in a special way to support the food bank.”
From a stage set up for the day, local celebrity on Bogg Hogg Radio, Tater Hayes, emceed. Bruno Kazenas sang the National Anthem, Larry Clark played saxophone, the Plant City Community Chorale sang, the Plant City High School Jazz Band performed, Ace Jackson & the Jump Kings and Geri Blount entertained the crowd with a mix of blues, rockabilly, and classic rock. The Plant City Junior Women’s Club supplied soup eaters with baked goods and lemonade. The YMCA partnered with UFB to host a family-friendly Kids Zone and served them macaroni and cheese. Tomlin Middle School Art Teacher, Dillon O’Donnell, helped create a community bowl for next year. Nine artists painted bowls at Red Calliope Gallery on Evers that were put up for auction.
“Every year, I’m amazed by how our community shows up,” Mary Heysek, President of UFB, said. “From the artists who donate their time and talent to the chefs who cook from the heart, this event truly brings Plant City together for a purpose that matters.”
Behind the scenes, the Empty Bowls Committee worked tirelessly to bring the event to life. Lesli Platt led the coordination of both the professional artists’ bowls and student-created bowls, to ensure every piece was a work of art. Sherrie Scheitler organized the local culinary talents to serve up the delicious creations.
The nearly $40,000 raised will directly support UFB’s ongoing programs such as emergency food distribution and nutrition support for local families, seniors, and children. In 2024, UFB volunteers put in 17,500 hours working to distribute food donated by partner companies, agencies, and individuals. The UFB also distributed 4,331,000 pounds of food, serving 209,519 people.
The mission of the UFB is to provide assistance for the needy in moving them from a “state of hunger” and “impoverishment” to self-sufficiency, empowerment, and self-reliance. The 501(c)3’s philosophy is, “A Hand Up, Not a Hand Out!” The vision of the UFB is to stamp out hunger in East Hillsborough County and raise the standard of living for the truly needy. The UFB offers opportunities for self improvement, education, job skills, and enhancing life for individuals and families to effect change for the community.
The UFB provides essential nutrition to members of the community through the Feeding Our Community program, which operates both daily on-site food distribution and targeted outreach in underserved neighborhoods. With the support of donors, staff, and volunteers, The UFB provides each recipient with a nutritious grocery bundle every two weeks. Typically, they contain a selection of fresh produce, meats, eggs, dairy products, dry goods, cereals, grains, soups, juices, breads, baked goods, and coffee or tea. These bundles are provided to strengthen food security for the community.
“Empty Bowls is about more than food,” Heysek commented. “It’s about hope, community, and compassion. Every bowl sold helps us fill a pantry shelf, provide a meal, and remind our neighbors that they’re not alone.”
