WICHITA FALLS ( KFDX/KJTL ) — Returning for its 12th year, Empty Bowls is gearing up to blend creative cuisine with the handiwork of local artists.

With over 500 attendees last year, Wichita Falls Area Food Bank Marketing Director Zachary Graham said they're expecting the largest crowd this year.

"It's really an opportunity for local volunteers, restaurants and different members of the community to come together and make sure that there are no empty bowls in our community," Graham said.

Celebrated across the country, MSU Resident Artist Peyton Lawler is crafting in Wichita Falls for the first time. But for her, Empty Bowls has taken her across the south.

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"I just want to keep spreading the Empty Bowls everywhere I go," Lawler said. "It's just been part of my life since I started ceramics. I've done it every year for about 10 years, so I'm happy to be doing it in Wichita Falls."

And as Lawler grows her Empty Bowls résumé, back at home, Graham expects their largest turnout yet.

"We have a lot more culinary programs from different high schools that are going to be involved as well," he said. "You get to sample all those different soups; there's wine, there's music, and it's really just an evening to have fun and to get to know the different people in the community that come out."

Lawler said the bowls in which each culinary creation is poured are handmade with care.

"When I'm making pottery, I just feel kind of, you know, I breathe, and everything sort of melts away," she said. "I am very privileged to be a part of it and really happy I can help contribute to it."

As the number of Texomans in need increases to 39,000, Graham said fundraisers like this allow them to better fill those bowls.

"We've seen the numbers of the people in line at our mobile food pantries just grow and grow. We've had a 29% increase just in the last year," Graham said. "A lot of those people are working families; they have jobs, but they still, just because of the circumstances of today, aren't able to afford that food. They're having to make decisions between bills or medicine or food."

As it reached over $75,000 in proceeds last year, Graham said they're hoping to hit that $100,000 mark this year.

To accommodate for this year's expected large crowd, Empty Bowls will be at the Forum on Speedway on Wednesday, October 16, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.

To purchase tickets, visit their website.

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