When: Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 12-2pm
Where: Williamsburg Christian Reformed Church
The biggest social and fundraising event in the Community Food Share yearly calendar was another outstanding success this year. Held on Saturday, February 10 at the Christian Reformed Church in Williamsburg, this was the sixth time area potters have created bowls to donate to this international grassroots movement to end hunger.
With only 125 available, tickets for this edition of Empty Bowls sold quickly. The event raised $5340, with all proceeds going directly to the operation of Community Food Share’s two area food banks. The lunch of soup, bread and refreshments was all donated by local caterers and bakeries. Soup was donated by Iron Forge in Winchester, Sandy Row Golf Club in South Mountain and Simply Baked in Winchester. Bread was provided by Bitty Birds Gluten-Free Bakery in Iroquois, Lightning Street Italian Gourmet and Simply Baked Catering in Winchester. Lactalis in Winchester donated butter and Iroquois Foodland donated water. The coffee was from No Go Coffee in Osgoode. Sweet Treats were donated by Bitty Birds Bakery, Sherry’s in Williamsburg, and Winchester Foodland.
The ceramic soup bowls were individually created and donated by potters from our community including Heidi Blokland, Debbie Gilmer, Monique O’Brien and Diane Sullivan.
Musical entertainment for the event was provided by well known local performer, Claude Plamondon.
Also on the program was a silent auction that featured several high interest items including tickets to the Sebastian Maniscalco “IT AIN’T RIGHT Tour 2024 “, donated by Michelle and Nathan Lang, and four tickets to see the Redblacks play the Tiger-Cats, Donated by Royal LePage Team Realty. Other items included two tickets to Upper Canada Playhouse, a honey gift basket from Shirlholm Farms; four all-access season passes to Countryside Adventures, two boxes of Caramels from Scheeps Caramels Co., a gift basket from Glen Briggs Woodworks and another from Stone Crop Acres Winery. Donations from Winchester BMR included Scentsy Products and a Vanilla Scented Candle, Harry Potter memorabilia, vintage enamelware and a vintage chalkboard.
“We are delighted with the response from our supporters,” said Community Food Share Team Leader Jane Schoones. “We truly appreciate the kindness of the individuals and businesses that supported this event, including the merchants who helped to sell our tickets.”
Throughout the Empty Bowls event, Community Food Share kicked off sales of tickets for the annual Spring Cash Calendar that will see a cash draw taking place every day during the month of May. Watch for tickets at a retailer in your community.
