CULLMAN, Ala. – The 20th annual Empty Bowls of Cullman County Chili Dinner will take place Monday, Feb. 17, from 4-6:30 p.m. in Hearin Hall at First United Methodist Church in Cullman. The community favorite event raises funds for the Cullman Caring for Kids food bank.
In a letter the editor in January, Coordinator Tanya Shearer wrote in The Tribune, “It is hard to believe that 20 years ago the first Empty Bowls of Cullman County dinner was held on Nov. 17, 2003. From the very beginning, it was very apparent that God gathered the people together to make it happen: the potters, the culinary experts, musicians, businesses, churches, schools, etc. The first planning meeting was held on Sept. 29, and the dinner was held less than two months later. Organizers hoped to serve 100-200 people and raise $2,000. However, when it was all said and done, over 600 people came to the dinner that first year and almost $6,000 was raised for the food bank.”
Cullman Caring for Kids Executive Director Steven Sutter shared, “It’s a very simple fundraiser; they do chili, grilled cheese sandwiches and desserts. The event raises money for Cullman Caring for Kids’ food bank, and all the costs that go along with it.”
Shearer continued in her letter, “…over the last 19 years Empty Bowls of Cullman County has raised $239,099 for our community food bank at Cullman Caring for Kids. The needs of the food bank have continued to grow over the last 19 years.
“Last year in 2024, the food bank served 10,239 families consisting of 21,979 individuals; 6,321 were children younger than 18 – almost one-third. The majority of the people coming to the food bank continue to be on a fixed income. The food distributed at the food bank is distributed once a month. The 75-80-pound bags of food are intended to provide a family of four nutritious food for three days.”
Continued Sutter, “Mrs. Tanya Shearer is who heads up the entire thing and does an amazing job making sure everyone is doing and taking care of everything that needs to be done.”
He said there is also a silent auction with numerous items donated by the community.
“We tried to make it a completely 100% family friendly event so that everyone can come without any worry of there being anything negative,” Sutter said. “This truly is a great event.”
Empty Bowls tickets are $15 and include the dinner, a keepsake pottery bowl and live Southern gospel music by Brian Westbrook & The Misfits and Enell Baker. Tickets are available at Cullman Caring for Kids, First United Methodist Church and at the door. Dine in or carry out. For more information, call Cullman Caring for Kids at 739-1111 or First United Methodist Church at 734-6690. The church is located at 320 Third St. SE in Cullman.
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