“It takes many hands to meet the hunger needs in the Las Cruces community and the soup kitchen affords a wonderful opportunity for those individuals who have the time and inclination to give back to others. Volunteers have the flexibility of committing to as much or as little of their time as their schedules afford. We have some volunteers who come in as infrequently as once a quarter, some once a month, and others a few days a week. Whatever your schedule affords for volunteering is always welcome at El Caldito,” says Picacho neighbor Terry Frank.

Many communities across the country, and the world, experience food insecurity. Las Cruces is no exception. While ending world hunger seems like a lofty goal to many of us, Picacho neighbors, Terry and Pete Frank have found that tackling such an overwhelming issue starts at home, in our own neighborhoods, in our own community. As Terry reminds us, although the feeling of powerlessness over such a matter can be paralyzing, there are volunteer opportunities that flex to work with your schedule and your abilities. Becoming involved in an event like Empty Bowls and supporting an organization like El Caldito, which has made volunteering accessible, is the perfect place to start.

"Empty Bowls is the annual fundraiser held by The Potters Guild of Las Cruces to benefit El Caldito Soup Kitchen. 100% of the proceeds are given to El Caldito. Michigan hosted the first Empty Bowls event in 1990 at a high school when the ceramics class made some bowls, added soup, and sent the empty bowls home as a reminder of the need to feed the hungry throughout the world. Since then, potters around the world, and their organizations, host events to raise money and recognition for food-related charities. Our local angels in Las Cruces, The Potters' Guild of Las Cruces, host the annual Empty Bowls event, usually on the 3rd Friday in October. Starting in the Spring, potters in the Guild get busy forming clay and creating unique bowls for the annual event. The Guild schedules 'Empty Bowl Workdays' where members spend a few hours forming bowls, either shaping them by hand or throwing them on the wheel. The Guild diligently prepares hundreds of bowls for the event. As the recipient of 100% of the proceeds, El Caldito is enormously grateful and appreciative of the Potters Guild's creativity, time, and expansive effort. This represents the largest fundraiser for El Caldito and monies received from this fundraiser are used towards addressing the hunger needs in our community. As evidenced by the numbers there is a need in our community; the soup kitchen serves, on average, 130 meals/day for breakfast and 240 meals/day at mid-day... This is the 31st year of Empty Bowls. This year's event is scheduled for Friday, October 13th at St Paul's United Methodist Church located at 225 W Griggs Ave. in Las Cruces. Over 40 restaurants participate by donating delicious soups to be slurped and enjoyed by the attendees. In addition to enjoying a variety of soups, ticketholders also get to select a bowl from a bounty of options, all beautifully handmade and donated by The Potters Guild."

"We started volunteering at El Caldito about 6 years ago. We had been looking for volunteer opportunities since moving to Las Cruces. We attended the Volunteer Fair held by the city in the downtown plaza and after considering multiple options, determined El Caldito was perfect, primarily because of its goals and its flexibility in scheduling. Not knowing exactly what was involved or how it might work, we appreciated the flexibility afforded by the workable schedules. It was as volunteers at the soup kitchen, we became involved with the Empty Bowls event."

"Volunteers are prized at the soup kitchen and we can always use more hands to ensure that the hunger needs in the Las Cruces community are met... If you are not interested in working in a kitchen, we have volunteers who pick up food donations from local markets. El Caldito Soup Kitchen is open 365 days a year for a mid-day meal. In addition to a mid-day meal, El Caldito recently started serving a hot breakfast 5 days a week, Monday through Friday. The soup kitchen focuses on meeting the nutritional needs of those who dine at the facility. Weekday meals usually include a green salad, fruit, soup, an entree with sides, dessert and a beverage. Sunday meals include the same but do not include soup. Saturday meals are focused on sandwiches. If you are interested in volunteering or considering volunteering, you can contact us at 575-525-3831 or www.elcalditolc.org"