Empty Bowl dinner to support Jesse Tree

On Friday, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will host the eighth annual Empty Bowl event to support the nutrition programs of The Jesse Tree.

This creative, beautiful and delicious event will bring together more than 400 supporters of The Jesse Tree at Galveston’s historic Garten Verein to enjoy delicious soups provided by local restaurants served in uniquely designed ceramic bowls. Eat the soup, keep the bowl and bid on beautiful works of art donated by local artists at the silent auction.

The Empty Bowl is a great venue at which you can provide visible and meaningful support to an outstanding Galveston County-based organization.

Tickets are selling out quickly, so purchase yours today at jesse

tree.net or by calling 409-762-2233. Tickets cost $35 each. If any are left, they will be sold at the door for $40.

The Jesse Tree is a faith-based, nonprofit organization that connects people with the health care, social services and ministerial resources they need to rebuild their lives and uplift their spirits.

By working with their faith partners throughout the region, The Jesse Tree is able to improve the lives of people from the Bolivar Peninsula and Galveston to League City, Hitchcock and beyond, while making a positive impact on the economic health of Galveston County.

Joe De La Cerda, 62, is a lifelong resident of Galveston. Joe drove a cab for a living. Through the years, he attended some food fairs and a few Jesse Tree events.

Last September, he visited The Jesse Tree requesting a pair of reading glasses, where he encountered Kyaw Lim (pronounced “Jaw” Lim) with the Prescription Assistance Program.

In Joe’s words, Kyaw took one look at him, asked him a few questions and immediately asked him to call a family member to accompany him to the hospital.

Joe describes a quick trip to the medical branch emergency room, where he appreciated the patient staff explaining to him that he was experiencing severe cardiac distress and limited heart function. He was immediately admitted for treatment.

Joe gives his foremost thanks to God, but also remains grateful to Dr. Greg White, who immediately treated him and explained that one more week in this condition could have cost him his life.

Joe describes how his breathing has continued to improve as he credits the quick actions of The Jesse Tree with saving his life and very kindly adds that he was never treated “like a number” but rather like a person who is loved.

He eventually got those reading glasses, but his highest praise continues to go to The Jesse Tree staff where health care, social services and ministerial assistance are integrated and provided in a holistic fashion.

Joe is quick to add that The Jesse Tree not only fills empty bowls with nutritious foods, but teaches people to “take action” to get well, stay well and to become self-sufficient. He has signed on as a volunteer. He and his family will attend the Empty Bowl event.

Your support of the Empty Bowl event supports The Jesse Tree, where individuals like Kyaw (who incidentally was trained as a physician in his native country of Myanmar) work to connect, rebuild and uplift the lives of those seeking assistance.

The Jesse Tree has eight outreach sites across Galveston County and hundreds of dedicated volunteers who consistently work to help others. Come meet the board, staff and volunteers at this wonderful event and fill your bowl with happiness.

Visit the website or call 409-762-2233 for your tickets.

Madeline Baker is president of the Jesse Tree.