It’s a wonder. A pair of hands can take a damp lump of clay and press it, pull it, mold it, seeking its potential. The resulting shape can then be dried and glazed with a personality, placed in a kiln, and fired. Perhaps what comes out is a bowl, ornate or simple, large or small, square or round or abstract. It’s empty, just waiting to be filled.
The Santa Barbara County Foodbank is preparing for its 10th annual Empty Bowls fundraiser, and it needs bowls.
Empty Bowls is an innovative approach to raising funds for and awareness of needy families. Local artists are called on to donate handcrafted bowls for the event. The empty bowls aren’t just pieces of art, though. For a donation of $25, event attendees choose a bowl, which will be filled with soup for their lunch. After their meal, attendees take the bowl home as a reminder that there are others out there who need their bowls filled.
This year the Foodbank is looking for a 15 percent increase in event attendance. Last year, attendance was close to 750 people. To accommodate the increase, organizers are hoping for a commitment of 1,000 bowls from schools, organizations, and individual potters.
“The arts are an ideal medium to support the community,” said Dr. LeeAnne Del Rio of Righetti High School.
She’s hoping that despite kiln problems, Righetti students will be able to donate 500 bowls this year, and she’s looking to provide 1,000 the next. In addition to donating bowls, she plans to have students serving soup at the event.
“It really brings the project full circle for the students,” she said.
Students at Nipomo High School are thrilled to be able to participate. They love to create, but after a while, they said, their houses fill up with their work and they can only give it away. Empty Bowls allows them to make something for a purpose, which makes it worthwhile.
Aside from the regular meal sales there will be a fun-bowl table where the more ornate and out-of-the-box bowls can be taken home for a little extra. There will be a silent auction and a raffle for some special items. Raffle tickets will be $5, or five for $20. Bob Nichols of Allan Hancock College will be throwing bowls at the event.
Every dollar goes a long way. One out of four county residents is a recipient of one of the 290 agencies and programs the Foodbank facilitates.
If you’re interested in donating a bowl, the deadline is mid October, though the Foodbank would like a commitment prior to that so they can track the number of bowls. To donate bowls or be an event sponsor, call Judi Monte at 937-3422, Ext. 106.
The Empty Bowls Fundraiser will be held on Oct. 26 at the Santa Maria Fairpark.
Intern Michael McCone compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send comments or ideas to the Sun via e-mail at intern@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Sep 1-8, 2011.
