By james art Nearly two dozen local artists handcrafted 150 bowls for a fundraiser aimed at ending food insecurity in the Gilbert Community School District.
The inaugural Empty Bowls fundraiser, set for 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, will support Gilbert Schools’ Backpack Buddies program, which provides food to children at risk of hunger. The donor will serve soup in a handmade bowl made by a local artist. Each participant will keep the cup as a reminder that some cups remain empty.
A collaboration with the Ames Arts Council and Hardie Clay Studio
Saturday’s event is a collaboration between the Ames Community Arts Council, Hardie Clay Studio and Backpack Buddies. Jennifer Brockpaler, director of the Ames Community Art Council, said the goal of the fundraiser is to create awareness for the Backpack Buddies program.
“There’s nothing more important than kids not going hungry after school,” Brockpaller said. “This program helps ensure that they can continue to eat well and not always think about this issue with their family.”
Two programs join forces to fight hunger
Linda Hardy of Hardie Clay Studio said the Empty Bowl fundraiser was first created in 1990 by a potter in Michigan. He wanted a way to help students who came to school hungry. It was such a success that within a few years, Empty Bowl fundraisers were held across the country.
Traditionally, artists are invited to create and donate bowls to serve food that guests choose. They keep the bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world.
Backpack Buddies programs exist across the country to provide food to children from families dealing with food insecurity. Students in Gilbert schools who need meals on weekends and holidays are eligible to use the program.
Visit their website or call 515-233-2421 to learn more about their services.
A summer thought turned into a local fundraiser
The Gilbert Project was born in July after a conversation between Brockpaller and Hardy.
Hardy held a “bowl-throwing party” in his studio in August, and nearly a hundred bowls were thrown that day. In total, about 150 bowls were thrown, painted and glazed for the Gilbert Empty Bowls fundraiser.
“The Empty Bowls fundraiser is a great way to raise awareness of local food insecurity while raising money for a local food charity,” Hardy said. “I’ve been lucky enough to participate in Empty Bowls events over the years and it’s always rewarding.”
Brockpahler said the collaboration shines a light on “creative people making creative solutions” for food insecurity.
“It’s been a great experience working with different people — artists, business people, volunteers — to meet a need,” Brockpaller said. “We all bring unique perspectives and skills to the table, and it’s been very satisfying to work together to do our small part to address child hunger in our community.”
Aunt Maudes, The Cafe, The Open Flame and more are donating for the soup supper
The Saturday Soup Supper runs until 8:00pm at the Gilbert Franklin Community (105 SE 2n.d St., Gilbert).
The soup was donated by local restaurants such as Aunt Maude’s, The Cafe, Ge-Angelo’s Italian Restaurant, The Open Flame, Provisions Lot F. and The Vault. The bread was donated by the Lincoln Center Hy-Vee and Wheatsfield in Ames. Desserts are provided by volunteers from Gilbert Lutheran Church, Backpack Buddies home base.
Tickets are $25 when purchased in cash in advance, $27 online and if available, $30 at the door. Tickets are available for purchase by cash or check only at the Hardie Clay Studio in Ames, The Vault in Gilbert and the Octagon Center for the Arts in Ames.
Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at [email protected].