The community will come together Tuesday to spread awareness of hunger and raise funds for two local food banks.

Hundreds are expected to gather at Sloan Convention Center to take one of thousands of bowls crafted by community members and eat a simple meal of bread and soup at the seventh annual Empty Bowls of Bowling Green.

Chris Patterson, pastor of St. James United Methodist Church, said Empty Bowls began in 2013 and has grown into a larger event.

“We do believe in the call of Jesus to feed those who are hungry. We can’t turn a blind eye to anyone in need when we live in such a great country of abundance,” he said.

Community members are invited to come to Sloan between 5 and 8 p.m. Tuesday, make “a suggested minimum donation of $15” and pick one of the hundreds of handcrafted and hand-painted bowls that will be provided, Patterson said.

Funds raised will be split evenly between HOTEL INC’s MannaMart and University Street Church of Christ’s Life Care Ministry, he said.

Soup is being provided by Melissa’s Country Cafe, Corner Bakery, Rafferty’s, Wendy’s and Chick-fil-A, he said.

After the event, everyone will take home the bowl they chose, where it is intended to serve as a reminder of hunger’s persistence, Patterson said.

“It’s called Empty Bowls because it’s a reminder that there are empty bowls in homes throughout the community,” he said.

Patterson said Empty Bowls events are held throughout the country. St. James brought it to Bowling Green after church member Gary Taylor brought it to Patterson’s attention after moving to Bowling Green from New Hampshire.

Bowling Green Independent School District Superintendent Gary Fields, who has participated several times in Celebrity Bowls, an event where prominent local figures paint bowls to be auctioned off, said he contributes because he knows hunger is a persistent issue for many families in his district and beyond.

“Empty Bowls is trying to fill a need that is very real in this community,” he said. “We have so many kids and families who are wondering where their next meal is coming from.”

Fields said Empty Bowls illustrates the community’s willingness to come together for a good cause.

“It’s a neat event because it attracts people from all over the community who are trying to help,” he said.