Empty Bowl Project in Bastrop raises money for county food pantry

The 19th annual Bastrop County Empty Bowl Project on Saturday drew a packed house to the Bastrop Convention Center. Attendees at the event, which raises funds for the county’s Emergency Food Pantry, picked from a selection of colorful soup bowls decorated by local students.

Adriana Rubalcava, with Costa Azul Mariscos & Micheladas, serves up delicious soup at the Empty Bowl Project fundraiser.

Attendees at the Empty Bowl Project on Saturday at the Bastrop Convention Center line up to sample a multitude of dishes from area restaurants and caterers.

Miriah Spotts makes use of a muffin tray to sample several offerings at the Empty Bowl Project.

Raymond Keyrouz, owner of 602 Brewing Company, and assistant kitchen manager Sara Dare, serve up their exquisite ghost-pepper cheeseburger soup, which won Best Cream-Based Soup at the Empty Bowl Project on Saturday.

Anthony Baima, with Bastrop’s Lab C Food Kitchen, gives a thumbs-up during the Empty Bowl Project.

Juan Jose Contreras, with Jalisco’s Mexican Restaurant, pours queso over chips at the Empty Bowl Project.

A savory stew from Southside Market and BBQ wowed Empty Bowl attendees.

A silent auction offered fabulous art as part of the fundraiser for the Empty Bowl Project.

Scrumptious cookies went fast at the Empty Bowl Project.

Bastrop resident Kelly Hartford wears a stylish hat at the Empty Bowl Project.

Tresha Silva, executive director of the Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry, holds her grandson Alexander Silva while speaking to the audience at the Empty Bowl Project Saturday. On Tuesday, Silva said, “We’ve more than exceeded our goal of raising $32,000 and are still counting proceeds.” Silva said more than 600 people attended the event.

Rich Bachik, from Elgin, was one of the many volunteers who helped make the Empty Bowl Project a success.

Bastrop artist Tobin Bortner’s drawing of B.B. King was part of the silent auction at the Empty Bowl Project.