By Kate Bartlett
This Saturday, December 9th marks the annual Jamestown Empty Bowls Project fundraiser at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. The event was a huge success last year raising over $10,000 for area Food Pantries and FeedMore WNY.
The Empty Bowls Project is actually a worldwide event, typically with profits to benefit local charities. The Chautauqua Area Potters brought the fundraiser to this area 17 years ago where it has been running successfully and growing more every year. Last year, area potters decided to bring the event to Jamestown to raise funds for area food pantries during the holiday season.
Mary Beth Southwick has been involved in the Empty Bowls project as a volunteer for 10 years. Her parents Jim and Pat Reno are both local potters, and she became involved in starting up the first Jamestown event. “We had a very successful first year with over 400 attendees,” says Mary Beth. “We feel warmly welcomed by the community, and are looking forward to another great year.”
Father Luke Fodor of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church also spoke to the success of their inaugural year. “It was an exciting first event and watching the community embrace the opportunity to give. I think it fills the hole some of us feel this time of year, wanting to give to those less fortunate and gathering together as a community.”
The event is held in the undercroft of St. Lukes Episcopal Church, with it’s beautifully restored arch brick ceiling. “It’s a great space for the event,” says Mary Beth. “Not only is the money directly helping local non-profit organizations or local charities, but it is a remarkably lovely place to display the pottery It’s great to see the beautiful pottery, knowing it’s all going to feed the community.”
From 11-2, guests are welcomed to purchase a bowl crafted by local potters, many of whom attend the event and can speak to their pieces. All bowls are donated by local professional, student, and hobbyist potters, so every dollar raised goes directly to the charities. Bowls are reasonably priced, and make wonderfully unique gifts, as well as keepsake reminders of our blessings.
The event fills hearts and stomachs, with free soup served to fill the bowls generously donated by Labyrinth Press Company and Ashville General Store. This year will also feature a raffle for some larger pottery pieces as well as gift cards to local businesses.
“It’s interesting to see the variety of pottery crafted by our local potters,” says Father Luke. “Each piece is unique in it’s own way, and people find the piece that speaks to them. It represents how even though we’re all different, we all contribute something, similar to the fable Stone Soup.”
“The Empty Bowls Project is a great event to bring the community together in an act of pure generosity. The Holiday Season is a time of great need for many, and together we can make a difference and help those less fortunate.”
For more information on the event visit their Facebook page. Admission and soup is free of charge, bowls are reasonably priced with 100% of proceeds to benefit The Jamestown Public Market, Mobile Market, and FeedMore WNY. Stop down to the event on Saturday, December 9 from 11-2 at St. Lukes Episcopal Church, on the corner of 4th and N Main. To make a donation or to find out more information about volunteer opportunities, contact info@jtownpublicmarket.org.