BIG SPRING, TX — Over 30 homemade soups were on the menu for this year’s Empty Bowls, an event organized by the United Way of Big Spring and Howard County to raise money for its partnering agencies. In addition to soups, guests had their choice of breads, desserts, and drinks to choose. Guests were also able to take home a homemade bowl as a gift from the event.
These bowls were handcrafted and painted by community members for this event. A few standouts from this year’s batch of bowls were auctioned in either a silent auction or the live auction. Two of the highest bid items, an oversized ceramic coffee cup submitted by Sheriff Stan Parker and an orange spotted bowl submitted by Chelsea Parker, were both sold to Sheriff Parker for a combined total of $1,425. All money raised from the auctions and ticket sales goes directly to the local United Way in Howard County.
This year’s volunteers included students from the Family and Community Services class from Big Spring High School. Justine Duran, a teacher for the course, told KBest News that they took advantage of the opportunity to help because the class is about following the path of working in the community and human services.
“They’re high schoolers now and most will be graduating soon. So we think it’s important for them to get the hands-on experience now so they can use that later on in their careers and lives,” said Duran.
BSHS students Natalie Martinez and McKenzie Woodruff, volunteers with the Family and Community Services class, told KBest News that it was a new experience for them but it was something they would definitely be interested in doing again.
“It was a really good experience, better than I expected it to be. I got to meet all new people and taste some really good food,” said Woodruff.
Empty Bowls is part of the annual campaign organized by the United Way of Big Spring and Howard County to raise funds for its partnering agencies. 2023 partnering agencies include: Buffalo Trail Boy Scouts, CASA of West Texas, Emergency Services Chaplains Corps., Head Start Readiness Academy, Howard County Children’s Advocacy Center, Salvation Army, Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club, Scenic Mountain Medical Center Volunteers, Spring of Siloam, Victim Services, West Texas Community Mediation Center, YMCA of Big Spring, Journey Home Refuse Center, Chapter 47 Disabled American Veterans, and Don’t Litter Affordable Spay & Neuter Clinic.
Other upcoming events during this campaign season for the United Way include Movie Night on Saturday, Dec. 3rd, at The Courtyard and Hardware Store in downtown Big Spring, 117 & 119 S. Main, at 5 PM; and Breakfast with Santa on Saturday morning, Dec. 17th, at 10 AM, also at The Courtyard and Hardware Store in downtown Big Spring.
(photo: Howard County Sheriff Stan Parker with the highest bid bowls of the afternoon at Empty Bowls. The oversized mug was submitted by Sheriff Parker and sold at $575. The bowl was created by Chelsea Parker and sold for $850.)
(photo: Stormy Bradley, with Bulldog Steel, purchased the oversized mug and the Coahoma Bulldog football bowl created by Judy Tereletzky for $450 each.)
(photo: Genia Phillips, from Dazzling Décor, purchased the Forsan Buffalo Football bowl created by Judy Tereletzky for $450.)
(photo: Jacob Cerda with Alberto’s had the highest bid, $175, on this Big Spring Steer Football bowl created by Judy Tereletzky.)
(photo: Temple Driver with HD Livestock had the highest bid, $325, on this bowl created by Big Spring City Councilman Nick Ornelas, District 1.)
(photo: Sandy Smith was the highest bid, $115, with this bowl created by United Way Executive Director Christian Fair.)
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