AUBURN – The doors barely opened when people started making their way into the hall at First Universalist Church in Auburn Sunday afternoon. There was little time for small talk as the crowd pushed forward to the tables lined with beautiful bounty.

It was every man, woman and child for themselves as supporters carefully selected their prized acquisitions during the fifth annual Empty Bowls Supper benefiting Trinity Jubilee Center in Lewiston. For some, it was a quest to find that piece of pottery lovingly created by a grandchild at one of the three area high schools that donated pieces. For others, it was a mission to find that perfect addition to bowls purchased during past events.

For all, it was more than just pottery and tasty food. It was a worthwhile donation to a cause near and dear to everybody in America these days.

“We finally have the word out about what we do and it’s so heartwarming to see that – even in times like this – people who have are giving,” said event planner Dell Gray. “It’s a real rallying of the community and a great outpouring of community assistance as we get busier and busier by the month.”

The Empty Bowls Supper is one of two fundraisers held annually for Trinity Jubilee Center, a nonprofit soup kitchen and emergency food pantry dedicated to advocacy for those in need in the greater Lewiston-Auburn area.

Diners purchased bowls created by Maine artists and local students and received a bowl of soup in return.

Gray said that the center’s program operating out of Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown Lewiston serves more than 100 people a day. One meal a day is prepared four days a week by staff through partnerships with Bates College and Campus Cuisine, and three days a week the center hosts the Salvation Army’s feeding program.

“These are people who recognize the importance of the ministry that the Jubilee Center is doing for the disenfranchised community of Lewiston and the immigrant population of Lewiston,” said the Rev. Nancy Platt of Augusta, who volunteers several days a week at the center and attended Sunday’s fundraiser. “They recognize the need to help and the expense.”

Gray said that this year’s fundraiser featured 200 bowls designed by dozens of Maine artists and students. She hopes to double the $1,000 raised by last year’s supper, but would settle for $1,500.

The event’s main sponsor was Little Dan’s BBQ in Lewiston, but several area restaurants, catering companies and bakeries, as well as the Lewiston Regional Technical Center, donated a wide selection of soups, breads and desserts. First Universalist Church donates use of its hall each year for the event. Violinist Greg Boardman and his string students provide background music for diners.

In addition to providing a free meal to area residents in need, Gray said that Trinity Jubilee Center also runs a weekly food pantry that distributes small bags of groceries and diapers. She said that, like the feeding program, the food pantry is also seeing increased numbers this year compared to the past.

Last Thursday, more than 200 people stood in line for hours to receive food and diapers. That’s double the 100 people the pantry served last year at this time. Diapers are one of the most in-demand items for the pantry, according to Gray, who expects to hand out more than 50,000 diapers this year compared to 35,000 in 2008.

“They do an outstanding job,” veteran Empty Bowls attendee Janet Miles of Livermore said of Trinity Jubilee Center. “People are coming out to support the soup kitchen and all they do for the community. It’s a real resource for the community.”