BASTROPEmpty Bowl Project in Bastrop raises money for county food pantryThe Empty Bowl Project on Saturday drew a packed house to the Bastrop Convention Center.Terry Hagerty/Special To American-StatesmanThe 19th annual Bastrop County Empty Bowl Project on Saturday drew a packed house to the Bastrop Convention Center. Attendees at the event, which raises funds for the county’s Emergency Food Pantry, picked from a selection of colorful soup bowls decorated by local students.Terry Hagerty/Special To American-StatesmanAdriana Rubalcava, with Costa Azul Mariscos & Micheladas, serves up delicious soup at the Empty Bowl Project fundraiser.Terry Hagerty/Special To American-StatesmanAttendees at the Empty Bowl Project on Saturday at the Bastrop Convention Center line up to sample a multitude of dishes from area restaurants and caterers.Terry Hagerty/Special To American-StatesmanMiriah Spotts makes use of a muffin tray to sample several offerings at the Empty Bowl Project.Terry Hagerty/Special To American-StatesmanRaymond Keyrouz, owner of 602 Brewing Company, and assistant kitchen manager Sara Dare, serve up their exquisite ghost-pepper cheeseburger soup, which won Best Cream-Based Soup at the Empty Bowl Project on Saturday.Terry Hagerty/Special To American-StatesmanAnthony Baima, with Bastrop’s Lab C Food Kitchen, gives a thumbs-up during the Empty Bowl Project.Terry Hagerty/Special To American-StatesmanJuan Jose Contreras, with Jalisco’s Mexican Restaurant, pours queso over chips at the Empty Bowl Project.Terry Hagerty/Special To American-StatesmanA savory stew from Southside Market and BBQ wowed Empty Bowl attendees.Terry Hagerty/Special To American-StatesmanA silent auction offered fabulous art as part of the fundraiser for the Empty Bowl Project.Terry Hagerty/Special To American-StatesmanScrumptious cookies went fast at the Empty Bowl Project.Terry Hagerty/Special To American-StatesmanBastrop resident Kelly Hartford wears a stylish hat at the Empty Bowl Project.Terry Hagerty/Special To American-StatesmanTresha Silva, executive director of the Bastrop County Emergency Food Pantry, holds her grandson Alexander Silva while speaking to the audience at the Empty Bowl Project Saturday. On Tuesday, Silva said, “We’ve more than exceeded our goal of raising $32,000 and are still counting proceeds.” Silva said more than 600 people attended the event.Terry Hagerty/Special To American-StatesmanRich Bachik, from Elgin, was one of the many volunteers who helped make the Empty Bowl Project a success.Terry Hagerty/Special To American-StatesmanBastrop artist Tobin Bortner’s drawing of B.B. King was part of the silent auction at the Empty Bowl Project.Terry Hagerty/Special To American-StatesmanFrom left, Linda Cheatham, Craig Cheatham and Evelyn Reese serve tasty fare from Bastrop’s Stem & Stone kitchen and bar.Terry Hagerty/Special To American-Statesman