Michelle Anton, organizer of Empty Bowls, said the Sept. 21 fundraiser generated $9,000 for 4Cs food bank, SIRCH Community Kitchen, and Fuel for Warmth.
Louise Ewing from the 4Cs in Haliburton said, “it was awesome, a huge effort by everyone. Businesses here are amazing; they give absolutely every time they can.”
The 4Cs food bank has 280 active families that visit twice a month, and two to three new families every month. “This is the best thing ever, we appreciate those who attended, and those who donated so much to it,” Ewing said.
The premise of the event is to have people choose a bowl which they use to sample some of the soups, then take their bowls home to remind them of hunger in the world.
Diane Reed was overwhelmed by bowl decisions. “It is so hard to choose, there are so many different and beautiful techniques. We have been coming to the area for years and wanted to make sure to attend this event,” she said.
Anton, a potter, was able to connect with other potters and got them onboard. “All the bowls were made by potters in the area, restaurants donated soups, and musicians provided the soundtrack for the event,” she said.
Potter April Gates made the bowls she donated, and had her students decorate and fire them. “I organized a similar event years ago and so it is nice to be able to support it from a different angle. A fitting fundraiser combining fine pottery with fine food,” she said.
Merla Russell, from Drag Lake, couldn’t say enough about the food and event. “This has been fabulous, an excellent community event. So many delicious soups to choose from.”
SIRCH Community Kitchen executive director Gena Robertson said it was, “such a remarkable event, all the bowls made with care, truly a community-based event,” She added the need for food security will only increase. “In 2012, we were preparing about 50 packaged meals per month, now we are at 1,400.”
Sue Waite, executive director of Fuel for Warmth, added, “last year, we provided 62 families/individuals with oil, propane and hydro, delivered 31 loads of firewood and money to cover that basic need. This event is amazing, and this community is very supportive of their own.”
Mike Waller, president of The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 129, in Haliburton, which hosted the event, said, “community support is fantastic, and we continue to see that with our own elevator fundraising efforts as well,” said Waller. Bill Black organized a musical fundraiser that generated $4,000 for the lift.
