I’ve had the privilege of volunteering for the RI Food Bank for the past dozen years, eleven at the distribution center, and going on my second year at the St. Raymond’s Food Bank.

Last week Joyce and I attended the Empty Bowls fundraiser at the Waterfire Center, where 1,000 people gathered to sample food from 40 restaurants at the sold-out event.

Cranston and Warwick restaurants were well represented.

I immediately spotted my friendly waitpersons at the Lemongrass booth, starting the evening with their famous sushi, the growing attraction at their Warwick restaurant.

Time for chowda, and there’s none better than the creamy clam chowder at Cranston’s Legal Seafoods.

The Indian Restaurants Group (We have eaten at all four of them, including Cranston’s Chaska, offered a small plate of delicious Lemon Rice with Vegan Kofta.

On to Dave’s Marketplace, a weekly Warwick stop for me, where their catering service offered pulled pork on cornbread (Love their cornbread).

From there it was over to Cranston’s Chapel Grille booth for some Pennettine with Vodka Sauce, Gran Padano Cheese and Basil.

The day before most holidays we travel to Warick’s Greggs to pick up our  chocolate cake, our contribution to the family meal. Greggs had a huge display of their baked goods, including their chocolate cookies that are the largest and best in the state.

Venturing beyond our favorite local restaurants, we enjoyed Providence’s The East End, offering a Japanese interpretation of oysters on the half shell, and Mill’s Tavern’s Potato Leek Soup, plus Narragansett’s Coast Guard House’s Ecuadorian Shrimp Ceviche.

Local artisans contribute unique ceramic bowls. Joyce found one with cats painted on it, and our Trey was grateful.

There were more goodies to sample, and we tried most of them, happy to enjoy many of our favorites and discover new ones to visit.

The good news is that the money raised will feed hundreds of Rhode Islanders who are food insecure.