Hungry patrons got to sample soups and appreciate handmade art at the annual Souper Bowl fundraiser at the Art Center of Corpus Christi on Feb. 19.

Held annually on the Thursday following the Super Bowl, the Souper Bowl has ticket holders selecting a one-of-a-kind bowl made by local artists and tasting a variety of homemade soups from restaurants while touring the art on display before voting on the favorite soup of the night.

Souper Bowl Chair Rhonnie Smith explained the fundraiser benefits both the art center and the Coastal Bend Food Bank.

“I’ve been attending this event for the last few years and now they have something fun and super easy to win,” said Smith. “There are nine opportunities for raffle winners to win – there’s an entry to get in, you get a bowl, you get a coin to vote on for best soup, and it’s a competition for local restaurants.”

Local businesses from all around Corpus Christi sponsor the event in hopes for recognition and to support local artists and events held the Art Center.

“I’m here to raise money for the food bank and art center,” said Viviana Flores, the social services lead for the food bank. “I also work and do social services at the food bank, but I did volunteer for today to help hand out soup.”

The Souper Bowl has been an ongoing event in the community since 2012 and is a favorite with locals, especially choosing a bowl from among the original and unique designs.

“Me and my husband have been attending the event for a few years,” said attendee Marie Chavara. “[We] like to support the food bank and artists. My favorite part of the event is definitely the bowls that the artists made, my favorite was the heart bowl that I bought.”

Emilie and Lance Howard came out to support the local arts, with the benefit of enjoying some good soup.

“I’m excited, said Emilie Howard. “I saw the soups and got super excited.”

“I thought it was a great place to spend my time and night with my daughter who’s also an art teacher for CCISD,” said Lance Howard. “We both went for the turtle bowls today and I think they are pretty popular.”