DRAFFENVILLE – The coffee is always hot, the sweet tea is iced, and the food delicious. Five days a week Marcella’s Kitchen in Draffenville serves up lunch for those in need in Marshall County. Each year, the Marcella’s holds its Empty Bowl Project to raise funds to keep the kitchen stocked and ready to serve. This year, the project kicks off with the Empty Bowl Project Paint-A-Thon and Chili Dinner, to be held Friday, November 6, 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Marcella’s, 242 Griggstown Road in Draffenville.
The Paint-A-Thon invites everyone to join in for an evening on fun, friends, and fellowship. Marcella Perkins and a band of volunteers will be serving up a chili dinner and inviting everyone to paint a ceramic bowl that will be used at the Empty Bowl Project Dinner next spring. The ceramic bowls are a reminder that many in the community will go hungry without the assistance of Marcella’s Kitchen. Jackie Frazier, Funky Monkey Pottery Company of Draffenville, will be there to provide painting instruction and assistance. This is a great opportunity to have a fun-filled dinner and learn the basics of ceramic painting. The cost of the event is $10 per person at the door.
Early-Bird Ticket Sales: Marcella’s has added a new feature to this year’s fundraiser. Tickets to the Empty Bowl Dinner to be held April 2016 will be on sale at the Paint-A-Thon and Chili Dinner. Tickets are $15 per person. Buy tickets before January 31, 2016 and be entered in a drawing for a wonderful get-away to Grand Rivers. The prize package includes dinner for two at Patti’s Restaurant, two tickets to the Badgett Playhouse, and one night’s lodging at Patti’s Inn and Suites. The drawing will be held February 1 at Marcella’s Kitchen. The prize package is provided by Patti”s 1880’s Settlement and Grand Rivers Variety.
Marcella Perkins and a large group of volunteers began the community kitchen in May 2011. Since that time, the kitchen has served over 62,000 meals. In the beginning, the kitchen only served a small group each day. The kitchen has more than doubled in the four years. “The need for the kitchen is growing every year,” says Perkins. The kitchen is open to all in need, serving lunch from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The Empty Bowl Project is the primary fundraiser held each year for the kitchen.
For more information, stop by Marcella’s Kitchen, Monday through Friday between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm, call Funky Monkey at 270-252-0001, or email 2016emptybowlproject@gmail.com. All proceeds from the Empty Bowl events benefit Marcella’s Kitchen.
