The Bremerton Foodline’s Sixth Annual Empty Bowl raised more than $17,500 this past Saturday.

The record fund-raising event was held at the Bremerton Eagles Aerie No. 192 for the first time this year and included a variety of gourmet soups from local chefs, handcrafted bowls from local artists, a silent auction, a drawing for artisan bowls and a 32”-inch Samsung TV, live entertainment and much more.

Last year’s proceeds from the event were about $5,800.

“We got the bigger boat, like they say in ‘Jaws,’ but it filled up really quickly,” said Bremerton Foodline Treasurer Christine Davis regarding the new venue. “I think we amped it up a little bit this year. Everything was gorgeous.”

Over 300 community members attended the event put on by 75 volunteers, 13 chefs and an estimated 200 contributing artists. Soup for the event was provided through the generosity of local businesses including The Boat Shed, Der Blokken, Scout Hall & Honor Bar, Harrison Medical Center, Hi-Lo’s 15th Street Cafe, The Willows Assisted Living, Famous Dave’s and Helen Jett.  Chef Chris Plemmons and OC student staff created “Smoked Salmon Chowder” and “Spring Pea” soups to join cooks from Hallowed Grounds Cafe at the Silverdale United Methodist Church who donated their corn chowder.

The Olympic College Clay Club created and donated over 500 handcrafted bowls. One artist, Charles (Chaz) Martin made over 180 of those and acted as a mentor at two of the Club’s Bowl-a-Thon’s this past year. Karen Mittet, President of the OC Clay Club, donated over 30 of her bowls and as an Empty Bowl Committee member, was instrumental in amassing the bowl donations from around Kitsap County.

Mistarian Roses, LLC a glass studio on Fourth Street in Downtown Bremerton donated over 60 glass bowls created by community members including two glass bowls by Bremerton Mayor Patty Lent that were part of a drawing. Bremerton city council members Leslie Daugs, Jerry McDonald and Dino Davis and Bremerton Police Chief Strachan also made bowls there. Mistarian Roses artists taught donors how to work with glass and offered the public a chance to create two bowls, one to keep and one to donate. They also created a beautiful glass bowl for the drawing.

The Wood Turners Group including Collective Visions Gallery award-winning artist Brad Stave donated a variety of wood bowls and a set of nested bowls for the drawing. Local renowned artists Lisa Stirrett, Marie Weichman and Al Tenant donated their amazing pieces along with artists from across the Sound including Sam Scott of Shoreline and Charan Sachar (in BIMA) of Federal Way.

One bowl that created a lot of attention was designed and created by OC Clay Club members Sandy Landers and Marie Weichman and included an autograph signed specifically for Empty Bowl 2014 by singer Carrie Underwood.

Cynthia Jeffries and Chef Richard Kost of CJ’s Evergreen General Store & Catering oversaw the heating and serving of the soups donated by local chefs. Chef Drew Borus of Vancouver, British Columbia, has volunteered since 2011 with Chef Richard and drove down to help out in the kitchen again this year. Olympic College culinary students volunteered their skills to aid Chef Sam Schicker of La Fermata, Justin Robinson-Hyer of Toro Lounge and Bremerton Police Chief Strachan for the 215 person meal service. Twenty-five cadets from the Washington State Youth Academy joined the Bremerton High School Key Club, Kitsap Princesses and others who served soup, bread and water all afternoon.

Musical entertainment for the event upstairs was provided by Greg Hanenburg of Moxie Swing accompanied by singers from the Bremerton Community Theater and one 9-year old, Erin, from the audience. Musicians entertaining in the Soup-To-Go section included Bremerton High School student Dalton on guitar and Aaron McFadden on guitar.