Pictured from left are Megan Rendall of Coppes Commons, Larry Andrews, Karen Stoltzfus, Caleb Mast of Coppes Commons, and Melinda Sharp. This is the crew responsible for coordinating the Souper Bowl. (Photo by John Faulkner)

The Souper Bowl is returning to Coppes Commons in Nappanee. Souper Bowl II will be held in the Mill Room from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 8.

For those who don’t know, the Souper Bowl is a fund raiser for the Family Christian Development Center. Proceeds will benefit needy families in the Wa-nee Community School District.

Here’s how it works: Northwood High School Art students have spent several months hand-crafting about 240 wheel-thrown bowls out of clay. For $15, one of these unique bowls can be purchased.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for us because it gives the kids a real world learning experience,” says Melinda Sharp, NHS art teacher. “We try to do each one a little different.”

Once the one-of-a-kind container is selected, it can be filled over and over three different soups. The Teapot and More is providing chicken noodle, Nappanee Bakery is whipping up some creamy potato, and Mattern’s Catering will dish out ham and bean.

In addition to the soup, their will be homemade pie for $1, and soft drinks can be purchased. There will also be a kids art project during the event.

Most of the proceeds from Souper Bowl II will benefit the FCDC food pantry. And what will the food pantry be stocking up on? Believe it or not, soup.

“Ken, our food pantry director, would say our number one need is soup, soup, soup,” says Karen Stoltzfus, executive director of FCDC. “We are totally out of soup.”

The event raised $2,500 last year. The FCDC should be able to purchase a lot of soup if the meet or exceed that amount.

“This kind of thing has been going on in Goshen for for many years,” says Larry Andrews, one of the event’s coordinators. The first Souper Bowl went well, so Coppes Commons, NHS and FCDC decided to do it again.

“It’s neat to see the community effort,” says Stoltzfus.

Souper Bowl II is first come, first serve. Children under seven can get a foam bowl and cookie for free. For more information call 574-773-0002 or visit www.coppescommons.com.