Empty Bowls...because no one should go hungry

Jan. 12, 2011 - PRLog -- Join the fight against hunger as the Barron Collier Potter’s Guild holds its Fifth annual Empty Bowls Naples event, Saturday, January 29th from 11am-2pm at Cambier Park.  Attendees will receive a handcrafted bowl, a choice of 28 warm soups from some of Naples finest eateries and the satisfaction of contributing to a good cause, all for a minimal donation of $10.

The day will be filled with live potter demonstrations, music performances in the band shell and a silent auction in the pavilion where your favorite local artists have donated specially handcrafted and painted juried artwork.  As you stroll through the park be sure to stop by the Naples Art Council Booth and use your creativity to paint a bowl for next year’s event.

Empty Bowls is a nationwide fundraiser for local food banks, which teaches the creative art of handcrafting pottery bowls to students while increasing the awareness of hunger and related issues.  Guests choose a bowl to use that day and to keep as a reminder throughout the year of all the empty bowls people face each day.  In exchange for the meal, and a bowl, guests contribute a suggested minimum donation or more.  The Naples Empty Bowls event donates one hundred percent of each meal’s proceeds and the silent auction bids to help local hunger-fighting organizations.  This event is a major fundraiser for the Harry Chapin Food Bank.  Community volunteers of all ages have been tirelessly donating their time and talents to handcraft bowls, draw awareness and raise funds to help support Southwest Florida’s local food banks.  Last year’s event raised over $29,000 which supported local charities throughout Southwest Florida.  Every dollar donated will help the Harry Chapin Food Bank!

With home foreclosures, jobless rates steadily increasing in Southwest Florida and the recent troubles for local farmers with the loss of plants from the freeze; the Harry Chapin Food Bank has seen an increase in the need for emergency mobilized units to be sent into various areas.   According to Joyce Jacobs, Associate Director of the Harry Chapin Food Bank, “Last year from the funds raised at this event, the food bank was able to distribute over $175,000 of food back to the community.  For every $1 donated, the food bank is able to distribute approx. $6 of food to the local community.  We could not do this without the help of our local communities, local farms, stores and support of local fundraising events such as “Empty Bowls”."

Your help is needed to make this year a success...because no one should go hungry!  Simply join Panera Bread, Bond and these local restaurants by filling a need with a donation to Empty Bowls:  Wynn’s, Food & Thought, Gourmet Catering, Brio, Sunburst Café, Larry’s Lunchbox, M. Waterfront Grille, Turtle Club, Tiburon Golf Club, C.J’s on the Bay, The Dock, Saute’, Worthington Country Club, Zookies, Panera Bread, Carrabba, Patricks, Naples Flatbread and Wine Bar, Randy’s Fish Market, Alexanders, Charlie Chiang, Pelagos, Sweet Tomato, Stevie Tomato, Whole Foods, Bistro 821, Russell’s Clambake and Catering Tastebuds.

Whether you place a bid, make a donation for a bowl of soup, win the raffle for a specially donated piece of art or simply choose to make a donation from the heart; you will walk away knowing that you have made a difference!

Who:  Barron Collier Potters Guild
What: The fifth annual Empty Bowls Naples lunch to benefit the Harry Chapin Food Bank
Where: Cambier Park
When:  Saturday, January 29, 11am-2pm
Cost: $10 donation for a bowl of soup, handmade pottery (while supplies last), and a piece of bread.
Info: naplesemptybowls@yahoo.com or 239/377-1387
In case of rain:  The location will be Barron Collier High School Cafeteria

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Naples Empty Bowls, a nonprofit organization, is committed to raising awareness of the issue of hunger the Collier County. This goal is achieved through an annual fundraiser event and other initiatives that support local food and hunger programs.