It is a tangible reminder that while hunger exists within our community and the world at large, there is hope," said Misty Toothman, president of the Rotary Club of Twin Valley when describing the upcoming Empty Bowls fundraiser. "The empty bowls symbolize the need and the generosity of the community coming together to support the (Twin Valley) food pantry."

The ninth annual Empty Bowls event will be hosted by the Rotary Club of Twin Valley on Thursday, Nov. 6, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at Conestoga Mennonite Church, 2779 Main St., Morgantown. All proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Twin Valley Food Pantry (TVFP), which is housed at the church.

The local event is part of a worldwide program that is designed to raise awareness about hunger and as a reminder that "someone's bowl is always empty." At Empty Bowl events held worldwide, local artists create and donate handmade ceramic bowls, after which community members gather for a soup dinner and select a bowl to keep.

At the local event, ticketholders will receive a handmade ceramic bowl and the opportunity to sample a variety of soups. Children age 10 and under may eat for free.

The soup will be provided by local restaurants, Rotary Club members and the kitchens at Tel Hai Retirement Community and Twin Valley High School (TVHS). "We will have pizza soup, cream of mushroom, chicken corn, white chicken chili, beef vegetable with rivels, sweet potato, crab bisque and Italian wedding," Toothman said, noting there will also be several additional selections of chili. "We are trying to make it more of a variety this time."

"We will have bottles of water and dinner rolls," Toothman added. "Last year, someone donated cookies; there will be some type of dessert."

Soup will also be available for takeout.

Ticketholders will also be able to choose their own bowl to take home. The bowls have been created by local artists, TVHS students and residents of Tel Hai Retirement Community.

Rotary Club members gathered in July to make 32 bowls under the direction of Jill Moyer, the wife of Rotary member Ron Moyer. "She is an artisan, and she coordinates with other local artisans," said Toothman, noting that Jill took the bowls made by the club members, fired them in her kiln and glazed them.

This year's event will also feature the addition of a silent auction. "We have various items that were donated by Rotarians and different local businesses," Toothman said, noting items up for bid will include gift cards and a car washing kit. "Proceeds from that will go to the support the club's administrative costs."

The Twin Valley Rotary Club is a community service club. In addition to the Empty Bowls event, the club sponsors the Students of the Month program at TVHS and awards student scholarships.

The club also holds an annual Litter for Literacy Program. During that event, Rotarians join TVHS students to clean up a 2.6-mile section of Route 23 that runs through Elverson. Funds raised at the event are donated to the Village Library of Morgantown.

"We have a lot of interaction with the high school," Toothman said, noting that TVHS students will volunteer at the Empty Bowls fundraiser. "We are building future leaders and maybe future Rotarians."

The club meets on the first and fifth Wednesdays of the month at 6 p.m. at the Village Library, 207 Walnut St., Morgantown. The club also meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 7:30 a.m. at the Windmill Family Restaurant, 2838 Main St., Morgantown. Students of the Month are recognized during the meetings held at the Windmill Restaurant. Prospective members are welcome.

"We have some new people, and everyone is invested in the community," Toothman said. "We are trying to get more people informed about what Rotary is and how we can help our community."

"Rotary was founded in the early 1900s when businessmen came together at that time to do community projects. It was networking and community service," she added. "It's still what we try to do (today)."

To learn more about the club and the Empty Bowls event, visit www.twinvalleyrotary.org or search for "The Rotary Club of Twin Valley" on Facebook. Cash or check is preferred, but Venmo will also be accepted at the fundraiser.

More information about the TVFP, which provides food to residents in need in the Twin Valley School District, can be found at http://www.facebook.com/twinvalleyfoodpantry.org or www.twinvalleyfoodpantry.com.