Johnna McCormick, youth director, St. Paul Lutheran Church, 200 W. Orange St., Lititz, is excited about the return of Empty Bowls, an event that McCormick and her church youth group first held in 2017.

For McCormick, the annual meal, which raises funds to fight hunger in the Lititz community, is important not only for what it accomplishes, but for who organizes it. "This stemmed from a youth-led event," said McCormick. "Our youth group works this whole event." According to McCormick, members of St. Paul youth are "the first faces you see when you walk through the door." "They're running the silent auction and the bowl tables," she said, adding that Warwick High School junior Maggie Turner designed the event poster. "It really gives young people an opportunity to step into leadership," she said.

After being canceled for two years due to COVID-19 concerns, Empty Bowls will be held on Sunday, Nov. 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Rock Lititz Pod 2, 201 Rock Lititz Blvd., Lititz. "When you walk in, you are immediately shuffled to an area where there are tables covered with beautifully colored, different, unique handcrafted bowls," said McCormick, who noted that local artists donate about 250 original bowls to the event. "You make your selection, and that will be your bowl to keep." Next, guests may sample a variety of soups donated by about a dozen local restaurants. "(The restaurants) bring a homemade soup from their restaurant served by staff so there's very much a community connection to the restaurants, the businesses, and the people in the community," said McCormick. "We also have bakeries donate bread and desserts to be part of the meal."

In addition to soups, breads, and desserts, the event will feature live music by classic rock duo Benit and Miller. Both a silent auction and a Chinese auction will be held. "Restaurants donate gift cards, and artists donate unique pieces (for the auctions)," noted McCormick, who said that in the past, local businesses have donated gift baskets and gift packages and memberships.

According to McCormick, a premium ticket includes a bowl. Prices are discounted for children, who receive a paper bowl, and children age 4 and under may attend for free. In 2019, including volunteers, nearly 400 area residents attended. Because part of the mission statement of Empty Bowls is "fighting hunger in our community," all funds raised by Empty Bowls will benefit the Lititz/Warwick Community Chest.

Tickets, which went on sale Oct. 3, may be purchased by searching for "2022 Lititz Empty Bowls Dinner" at http://www.eventbrite.com. More information about the 2022 Empty Bowls may be found by searching for "Lititz Empty Bowls" on Facebook.