By Darlene Brace
The Christmas holiday season is upon us once again, but this year may be especially difficult for many. As we shop for gifts for our loved ones and gather groceries for our holiday feasts, let’s remember that many people may be experiencing food insecurity. The Empty Bowls project is a simple and inexpensive way to help those who are less fortunate.
The Empty Bowls Project originated in Michigan during the 1990s. This initiative, which combines community involvement, art, and charitable efforts, has grown into a widely recognized annual event and has inspired similar projects across the country and internationally. The Fredonia/Dunkirk area has been hosting Empty Bowls events for nearly two decades. In 2022, Jamestown joined this initiative, and this year marks the Fourth Annual Empty Bowls Project. This event will take place at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, located at 408 N. Main Street, on December 6th from 11am-2pm. St. Luke’s Church is partnering with the Jamestown Public Mobile Market, along with amateur and professional ceramic artists from the Lake Erie Area Potters, to collaborate on this event.
The Empty Bowls Project is a fundraising event where professional artists, students, and other county residents donate unique, handcrafted bowls and mugs. Hundreds of bowels are donated and are beautifully crafted by the artist as one-of-a-kind pieces. Each donated bowl or cup features the Empty Bowls logo imprinted on the bottom, serving as a reminder of the hunger faced by some individuals both locally and globally. These beautifully crafted bowls in various sizes and shapes will be displayed in the church.
For a small donation, you can choose a bowl or cup, and you can decide to have your bowl wrapped to use as a gift, or you can have it filled with delicious soup, which will be served with bread at no additional cost. This year’s tasty soups are generously donated by Asheville General Store, Labyrinth Press Company, and other community members.
In 2024, the Empty Bowls Project in Jamestown had over 350 attendees and raised over $14,000. Some of the proceeds from the event went to support the Jamestown Public Mobile Market, which brings food to local food deserts, which are areas that have limited access to fresh fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious foods. The mobile market helps support those in need year-round by providing a plentiful supply of fresh produce. Additionally, some of the proceeds were donated to Saint Susan’s Food Kitchen on Water Street in Jamestown for emergency food assistance. This year, the Mobile Market and Saint Susan’s Kitchen will continue to be the beneficiaries of this event.
During the Empty Bowels event, the Bishop Overs Guild will simultaneously host a fundraiser at
St. Luke’s titled “St. Luke’s is My Cup of Tea.” This portion of the fundraiser will feature vintage teacups filled with sweets, plants, and other unique giftable items. Proceeds from this segment of the fundraising efforts will be donated to St. Susan’s Kitchen as well.
The Christmas season is a busy time filled with parades, parties, and festive celebrations. We invite you to visit the Empty Bowls Project and the “St. Luke’s is My Cup of Tea” event at St. Luke’s Church. Here, you will have the opportunity to find a unique bowl or teacup to give as a Christmas gift or enjoy a hearty bowl of homemade soup for a delicious lunch. Either way, your donation will support this worthy cause.
additional cost. This year’s tasty soups are generously do-nated by Asheville General Store, Labyrinth Press Company,</em and other community members. In 2024, the Empty Bowls
Project in Jamestown had over 350 attendees and raised over
$14,000.
The Empty Bowls Project is a community initiative aimed at helping those less fortunate during the holiday season and throughout the year. The generosity of artists, volunteers, and businesses donating soup, along with the participation of attendees, helps fill the empty bowls of those in need. Your support truly makes a difference! This remarkable initiative not only provides for those in need but also fosters compassion and community spirit.
People in our community are in need of support. If you’re looking to make a difference, you are invited to get involved. The Empty Bowls Project in Jamestown is a wonderful opportunity to help by donating bowls, soup, volunteering your time, or simply attending the event. For more information, please visit stlukesjamestown.org or call St. Luke’s Church at 716-483-6405.