Local leaders came together this week to get their hands dirty and craft bowls for the annual celebrity bowl-a-thon at Lambton College, to promote the Empty Bowls Fundraiser.
The hands-on event in support of the Inn of the Good Shepherd, is a chance for community leaders, local celebrities, and college representatives to craft unique pottery bowls that go up for auction with the help of students and staff.
"It's so much fun. There's so much skill involved with it as well. Great teachers, great volunteers here guiding us all the way. Empty Bowls is superb. It's a great concept, and anything we can do to raise funds for the Inn and for the Lambton College Food Bank as well is great," said Inn of the Good Shepherd Executive Director Jack Christine. "Demand is up at the food bank, demand is up at our soup kitchen as well. So any help we can get regarding fundraising, we greatly accept."
Every dollar raised goes toward helping individuals and families in Sarnia-Lambton. About $16,000 was raised through Empty Bowls last year, bringing the total raised over the years to more than $130,000.
"Everyone loves it. It's such a feel-good event, right? The thing that's amazing about this event is that everything's donated, the clay, the firing, the use of the facility, so the whole ticket price goes back into the community," said Lambton College Professor Beth Turnbull.
The bowls made by local leaders are a way to get the word out about the fundraiser and for many to learn a new skill.
Professional potters from Lambton College and the Sarnia Lambton Potters’ Guild have crafted 400 pottery bowls which guests will take home as a reminder of what the event is all about ending hunger.
"We're bringing awareness to food insecurity and helping raise funds to fight hunger in Sarnia, members of the community will buy their tickets for $40 that includes picking out a beautiful, handmade pottery bowl and go through the soup line to have a simple meal of lovely, gourmet, delicious soup, bread, coffee, and tea. And at the end of the day, those people will take their bowls home as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world." said Turnbull.
The bowls made at the celebrity bowl-a-thon will be available for purchase by donation during the 16th annual Empty Bowls Dinner on April 9.
Local restaurants donate soups for the evening, which also features live entertainment.
Tickets are $40 and available through the Inn of the Good Shepherd.
Proceeds support The Inn of the Good Shepherd and the Lambton College Lions’ Heart Student Food Bank.
