Montgomery County residents painted pottery for a good cause Thursday night. County Executive Isiah Leggett was among those at the Amazing Art Studio in Gaithersburg painting bowls to donate to Interfaith Works.

The nonprofit organization will use the bowls - just a few of the 1,000 it needs - at its Fables and Tables gala Oct. 11.

"It's a simple meal, and at the end of the evening people get to keep these bowls," said Charlotte Garvey Corbett, community outreach coordinater for Interfaith Works. The bowls serve as a reminder of the empty bowls in the community, she said, and they will also help raise money for the organization's efforts to serve the homeless and low-income families in Montgomery County.

Garvey Corbett said about a dozen area restaurants will donate soup for the gala, which will also celebrate Interfaith Works' 40th year.

"It's to have a community celebration that is more about sharing a simple meal than it is about a fancy party," she said.

The gala will also include a performance of the fable "Stone Soup" by Adventure Theatre MTC. In the story, each character contributes one ingredient to make a pot of soup big enouh to feed a whole group. Garvey Corbett said the story serves as a way to underscore the importance of sharing resources.

During the gala, Interfaith Works also plans to auction off bowls decorated and signed by Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, Gov. Martin O'Malley and Redskins football players, as well as signed sports memorabilia. The organization hopes to raise $100,000 through the event.

For more information about the gala or to find out how to paint and donate a bowl, visit www.fablesandtables.org or call 301-315-1101.