Salvation Army fundraiser continues through May

Paint a bowl to fill a bowl

Lu Lockwood, left, Susan Schroer and Shawna Karron paint bowls Wednesday during the Empty Bowls fundraiser at Capital Arts. Patrons can help paint bowls through May for an Aug. 1 Salvation Army fundraiser to feed the hungry. Inset: Leann Porrello demonstrates a painting technique Wednesday to decorate her bowl.
Lu Lockwood, left, Susan Schroer and Shawna Karron paint bowls Wednesday during the Empty Bowls fundraiser at Capital Arts. Patrons can help paint bowls through May for an Aug. 1 Salvation Army fundraiser to feed the hungry. Inset: Leann Porrello demonstrates a painting technique Wednesday to decorate her bowl.

The Salvation Army is gearing up for its second Empty Bowls fundraiser, where volunteers paint bowls to raise money for people in need. The fundraising event will be Aug. 1.

"The goal of Empty Bowls is to help those whose bowl is empty," said Lt. Rachel White, corps officer at the Salvation Army in Jefferson City. "This fundraiser is cheap, unique and fun for all who participate."

Tickets for the event are $20, and attendees receive a specialty soup not available on the menu of local restaurants and a one-of-a-kind bowl painted by a volunteer as a keepsake.

The funds are used to support existing programs such as the food pantry, community meals and other community-wide services the Salvation Army provides.

Last year, the fundraiser brought in a little more than $5,000, and this year's goal is to raise $6,000, White said.

Employees from Scholastic volunteered their time Wednesday, painting bowls as a team-building exercise.

Lori Massman, employee services community development manager at Scholastic, said the company is a strong advocate of the local United Way.

"By doing this, we are supporting United Way agencies like the Salvation Army to continue to thrive in the community," she said.

Her colleagues said in addition to supporting the Salvation Army, they have strengthened camaraderie among their group while having fun along the way.

Volunteers can go to Capital Arts on Wednesdays during May to paint and glaze a bowl to be purchased at the event. To schedule a time, call the Capital Arts office at 573-635-8355.

Two hundred bowls still need to be painted.

"People have the option to pre-purchase a bowl before the event if they want to keep their bowl after it has been glazed," said Leann Porrello, executive director of Capital Arts. "If you design one you really love, you can purchase it ahead of time, but all of the bowls will be available at the actual event in August."

Details regarding the event location are to be announced.