The 6th annual Empty Bowls event on Jan. 28 broke contribution records.

Over 1,000 community members came to the event, picked out bowls made by Moshier Arts Center potters and enjoyed a soup meal. A total of $16,300 was raised. This year was the first year at the new Burien Community Center.

It was also the first year awards were presented for best soup. Kitchen Managers John and Dana Lasswell did the judging. The winner was Archery Bistro for their Chicken and Bacon soup. Runners up were 909, The Mark, and Mick Kelly's.

One hundred percent of the proceeds went to the Highline and White Center food banks to help fight hunger in the Burien and surrounding communities.

According to event organizers, n the past two years food insecurity has grown. The rising cost of housing, food, health care and cutbacks in federal funding for housing and food assistance, and the loss of manufacturing jobs leaves many working families short on food.

The White Center and Highline food banks continue to provide much needed emergency food relief while promoting efforts to fight poverty in local communities.

In 2010, the Highline Food Bank served 11,103 families, distributed approximately 983,500 pounds of food valued at approximately $1.4 million dollars and provided food each month for more than 2,785 individuals in need.

In 2010, the White Center Food Bank served 19,179 families, delivering over 1,000,000 pounds of food worth about $1.6 million dollars and provided food each month for more than 6,000 individuals in need.

Empty Bowl contributors included Moshier Arts Center potters, Grand Central Bakery, Puget Sound Skills Center culinary art students, the Mark Restaurant, Burien Fred Meyer and Burien Press.

La Costa, Angelo's, 909, Tin Room, Mick Kelly's Irish Pub, Sal's Deli, Panera Bread, Archery Bistro, Side Street Kitchen, Piranha Joe's, Emerald Cover Catering, Highline Medical Center, Eldorado West, Elliott Bay Brewery, Normandy Park Senior Living, Archie's Mexican Restaurant and Arcadia Restaurant provided soup.
Burien Little Theatre arranged the centerpieces. Clara McMichael and Jini O'Flynn performed harp music
Organizers also thanked the volunteers who served the meals and cleaned up.