Empty Bowl Supper serves up soup to benefit House of Hope

Diners enjoy a simple supper of soup and bread at the annual House of Hope Empty Bowl Supper/ Photos by Mary Carnahan

Front Royal – The First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall was filled with happy diners as the annual Empty Bowl Supper got underway Friday evening.  Over 130 people showed up to support the chief fundraiser of the House of Hope, a residential program for homeless men located in Front Royal.

One of its biggest fundraisers, The Empty Bowl Supper, served gourmet soup and bread as a symbol of the situation in which the homeless often find themselves.

Over 200 handmade bowls were up-for-grabs at the supper. Each ticket purchase included a keepsake ceramic bowl.

Many homeless are lucky if they get a bowl of soup a day, said House of Hope President Siggi Hepp-Dax. She said the annual event would hopefully raise about $10,000 for the program.

Soups were provided by The Apple House Restaurant & Gift Shop, Blue Wing Frog, Osteria, Pavemint Tap House & Grill and Soul Mountain Restaurant.Freshly-baked bread and cookies were donated by students at Chelsea Academy and St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. 

Beautiful, handmade bowls created especially for the Empty Bowl Supper were made at The Kiln Doctor, owned by Mike Swauger.Employee Arlene Link, along with several other potters, threw over 200 bowls, which were decorated and glazed by the community during First Night Front Royal activities and other civic groups.

Master of Ceremonies Kira Tomlin stands at the dais as Heavenly Notes makes it third appearance in as many years at the event. They were followed by the Warren County High School Jazz Band.

House of Hope’s 16-bed facility opened 10 years ago to provide shelter for area homeless men and to rehabilitate those residents who might have lost their jobs and homes as a result of substance abuse.

As an outreach program, the shelter welcomes anyone who might be in need of a meal, as well as other assistance, including a place to shower, laundry facilities and the opportunity to talk with someone and get information about available community services. 

The House of Hope is located 724 Warren Ave. in Front Royal.