The annual Empty Bowls Fundraising event is slated for Saturday, Dec. 2 from 11 a.m, until 2 p.m. at The Clarion Hotel, at 30 Lake Shore Drive E. in Dunkirk.
Participants can enjoy a simple meal while supporting the food-challenged in the Chautauqua County community and leave with one (or more!) beautiful one-of-a-kind bowls. There will a variety of sizes and styles of bowls valued from $5 to $40. An excellent selection will be available to choose from throughout the day. Raffle items will also be featured and tickets can be purchased for a dollar each.
Once again, Chautauqua Area Potters (CAP), along with local high school students and community members, have been working tirelessly to create hundreds of ceramic bowls to donate to this local annual event. The original Empty Bowls Project was founded in 1990 in Michigan by Art teachers Lisa Blackburn and John Hartom and is now held in communities throughout the country, raising millions of dollars in the last 27 years. Last year’s local event raised over $31,000. All proceeds are dedicated to helping feed the hungry throughout Chautauqua County.
Those attending can browse through the many tables of beautiful and unique bowls, make a selection(s) and enjoy delicious soups, including a vegetarian option, prepared by the Culinary Arts students at the Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) under the direction of David Caccamise, with ingredients provided by Tuscany Fresh Meats and Deli in Fredonia. Another, extra special, soup will be prepared by chef and occasional potter Dan McCanna of The Springs Restaurant in Bemus Point and cookies by Rusty Furdell’s students at the BOCES Hewes Educational Center in Ashville. Musical entertainment will be provided throughout the event, coordinated by Fredonia alumnus and staffer Tom Gestwicki.
The event, coordinated by Fredonia Professor Emeritus Marv Bjurlin and alumnus Ron Nasca, would not be possible without the support of many community members. Major sponsorship is provided by Lake Shore Savings. The Clarion Hotel donates use of their facilities. Tuscany Fresh Meats and Deli supplies all of the ingredients for the soups. Numerous volunteers donate their time before, during and after the event.
Don’t miss what has been called the “favorite community event of the year!” Those who are unable to attend the event but would still like to donate, can send donations to the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation, 212 Lake Shore Drive W., Dunkirk, NY 14048 and include “empty bowls” on the memo line. There is also a local Empty Bowls Facebook page.
