One of the highlights of the Empty Bowls fundraiser is getting to purchase one of the many ceramic bowls made by volunteers at the Grand Marais Art Colony. Photo courtesy of Ada Igoe
Each year, the Empty Bowls fundraiser event works to raise awareness of the reality of hunger in Cook County. With 12 percent of Cook County residents struggling with food insecurity, Empty Bowls raised critical funds for the Cook County Food Shelf and other community organizations addressing Cook County’s hunger needs year-round.
This year’s event will be held on Thursday, Nov. 14 at St. John’s Catholic Church at Broadway and Fifth Street in Grand Marais. Lunch will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with dinner scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. Cost is $6, with kids under 12 eating free.
Handcrafted Grand Marais Art Colony bowls will be sold for $10 and up.
Empty Bowls 2019 features a simple dinner with soup and bread provided by local restaurants and a sale of beautiful handcrafted bowls made at the Grand Marais Art Colony. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. After your soup meal, satisfy your sweet tooth with a delicious homemade treat from the bake sale and be sure to pick up an adorable microwave bowl cozy made by the local Fiber Guild.
The Art Colony makes 250 clay bowls for the fundraiser. Community members can participate in a make-a-bowl mini-class. Sessions are October 13, 14, 20 and 21 at the Art Colony. Visit grandmaraisartcolony.org for more details and to register.
Empty Bowls invites local individuals and businesses to sponsor the event. Sponsorship levels are set at Event Sponsor $1000+, Business Sponsor $500 – $999, Table Sponsor $250 – $499. To sponsor the event, send a check made payable to KIDS Plus (the fiscal agent of Empty Bowls), P.O. Box 63, Grand Marais, MN 55604 or give online at: givemn.org/story/88e6df no later than October 31. Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated.
Proceeds from Empty Bowls battle hunger in Cook County by funding community hunger programs.
Funds from last year’s Empty Bowls event were distributed to the Cook County Food Shelf, Birch Grove Community Center’s WE Connect, Cook County Youth Agency Coalition, Cook County Public Health and Human Services, local schools, Snacks and Packs, and the Violence Prevention Center to help nourish those in need.
Restaurants interested in donating soup and/or bread to the event should contact Edward Vanegas at 702-415-1914 or dining@lutsenresort.com.
Empty Bowls in Cook County started in 2006 and is currently coordinated by community volunteers in collaboration with the Grand Marais Art Colony, KIDS Plus, and the generous donations of local businesses. Approximately 75 volunteers are needed on the day of the event to assist with setting up, serving, and various other tasks. If interested in volunteering, contact Pat Campanaro at 651-336-2964 or pcampanaro@gmail.com.
Those unable to attend the event can contribute to Empty Bowls’ efforts online at givemn.org/story/ 88e6df. Alternatively, checks payable to “Empty Bowls” may be sent to KIDS Plus, P.O. Box 63 Grand Marais, MN 55604.
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