STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

This snowy weekend seems the perfect excuse to cuddle up with a steamy bowl of tasty soup.

Enter the 13h annual Empty Bowls on Sunday, Feb. 2.

The annual fundraiser will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Church of the Big Wood across from the YMCA on Saddle Road.

The event raises money for Blaine County Charitable Fund’s financial assistance programs, which help local families in need of rental, medical and other assistance.

This year for the first time partaker may purchase a handmade bowl made by Boulder Mountain Clayworks potters online for $25. They can pick out their bowl from a host of colors, shapes and sizes on arrival and fill it with soup, chili, salad, bread and dessert donated by local chefs. It costs $10 for an additional entry without a ceramic bowl to take home.

It costs $30 and $10 at the door.

Mary Fauth, executive director of Blaine County Charitable Fund, says there’s no rush to be at the door when the event kicks off.

“With pre-registration, we’re expecting the initial seating will be sold out. Tickets are available for a second seating starting at 12:30 p.m. Thanks to Boulder Mountain Clayworks and the 12 different soup vendors, we have plenty of bowls and soup available for all,” she said.

Empty Bowls was originally started as a fundraiser for The Hunger Coalition. Proceeds now go to the Blaine County Charitable Fund, which was founded to help Wood River Valley residents during the COVID pandemic.

The organization raised more than $200,000, this past year, securing a $60,500 matching grant. It also received $3,100 in Avenues for Hope prize money. The money means that at least 172 families will be able to maintain stability in 2025, said Fauth.

Last year’s Empty Bowls raised more than $!3,000.