A contingent of Cook County community organizers attended the 2011 Touchstone Awards in Duluth this month, accepting an award for Empty Bowls, an event bringing the Grand Marais Art Colony, Cook County Food Shelf and the entire community together. At the Touchstone event were (L-R, front) Sharon Frykman, Gwen Lenz, , Amy Demmer, Beth Kennedy. (L-R, back) Mary MacDonald, Jan Morris, Joan Farnam. (Not pictured-Kristine Bottort)
The Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation awarded its 2011 Touchstone Awards at the Duluth Entertainment Center (DECC). Among the recipients was the Grand Marais Art Colony.
Grand Marais Art Colony and Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank were honored in the category of “generosity” for their efforts to feed the hungry in 2009, when the need for food spiked with the economic downturn.
As many nonprofits and forprofit businesses fought for survival, Grand Marais Art Colony did almost the unthinkable: It invested time, money, power and other resources to raise funds for another charity, the Cook County Food Shelf. Through the Empty Bowls Project, artists, schools and community members made and donated ceramic bowls. Local restaurants made and donated soup and bread. Residents paid to attend the dinner and bid on items in a silent auction.
From 2007 to 2009, Cook County saw a doubling of the number of families needing food. Revenue from the Empty Bowls project now represents the largest annual contribution to the Cook County Food Shelf.
The award is quite timely— the Art Colony and the community is again in the midst of planning for the upcoming Empty Bowls event on November 10.
The Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation granted all four groups funds in 2009 for their initial work. As Touchstone Award winners, each will receive an additional $2,500.
“This is work that makes our community stronger and makes our community special,” said Holly Sampson, president of the Community Foundation. “All nine of our Touchstone Award nominees this year offer great examples of the concepts of generosity, civic engagement and inclusiveness. They make this a better place to live.”
Other organizations honored were Sustainable Twin Ports and the Madeline Island Anishinaabeg Gathering. The winners and the five other nominees were recognized at the Touchstone Award luncheon at the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center.
The Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation encourages private giving for the public good. The Community Foundation is a permanent community endowment, built by gifts from hundreds of individuals and organizations. Learn more at www.dsacommunityfoundation.com.
Be a part of the 2011 Empty Bowls event!
“Make a Bowl”
Grand Marais Art Colony
Sundays from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Mondays from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
“Paint-a-Bowl”
Grand Marais Art Colony
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 29
Empty Bowls
First Congregational Church
Thursday, November 10
Two seatings:
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
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