Photo by Linda Whittington / Neuse News

By Bryan Hanks

An annual event that raises needed funds for Kinston’s Community Council for the Arts is celebrating its 20th anniversary on Sunday.

The Soup and a Bowl fundraiser will run from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the CCA, 400 N. Queen St., Kinston. For a nominal fee – $20 for adults, $12 for youth ages 5-12 and free for children under 12 – patrons will enjoy all the tasty soup and stew they can eat, made by acclaimed cooks and chefs from all over the area.

They’ll also be able to take home a unique gift – a hand-made bowl.

Annette Turik is a CCA board member and has been the chairperson for the event for the past six years. She said Soup and a Bowl is one of the CCA’s key events of the year.

“It’s very important for our community to fund and sustain our Arts Council,” Turik said. “We need everyone to come out so we can raise money.”

The event has continued to grow every year and Turik is anticipating there will be nearly 25 cooks who will share their tasty treats.

“It’s a very popular event because people come after church and have lunch,” she said. “We have a variety of soups – you can come and try all of them if you want to.”

Bruce Parson, the business manager at LCC, is one of the cooks who comes back every year. He will be preparing a soup featuring giant lima beans and sausage while his wife, Jan, will prepare a tomato bisque.

“Soup and a Bowl is one of the premier fundraisers for the Arts Council,” Parson said. “They have no financial investment in it – everything is donated.”

Parson said the event is the “best meal deal in Lenoir County at any time of the year.”

“You get all you want to eat, a hand-thrown bowl and great company,” he said.

For more information about the event, visit kinstoncca.com or call Sandy Landis at 252-527-2517.