There were many smiling, hard-working volunteers at the Empty Bowls event, but none younger than Eero Moody. Eero, sporting a nifty bow tie, was on hand politely greeting people and asking them what he could do to help them. His kindness and tact weren’t lost on Pat Campanaro, one of the Empty Bowls organizers. She was duly impressed by Eero’s commendable efforts and his good nature, and she stopped to introduce him. With young volunteers like Eero coming up, Empty Bowls should be thriving far into the future. Staff photo/Brian Larsen
With 12 percent of county residents struggling with food insecurity, the Empty Bowls fundraiser has become more critical than ever, and boy did people turn out this year!
The 2019 event was held Thursday, November 14, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Grand Marais. More than 500 people attended either the lunch or the supper, which is believed to be a new record, said Judy Barsness, one of the event organizers.
Empty Bowls, which is the single biggest fundraiser for Cook County hunger programs, features a simple soup dinner with bread provided by local restaurants. Sales of handcrafted bowls made by the Grand Marais Art Colony also bring in a lot of money for the fundraiser.
When the evening was done, more than $30,000 was raised, which was also a new record, reported by the Empty Bowls organizing committee.
Once the money is all collected, fifty percent of the donations will be given to the Cook County Food Shelf. The other half will be divided among non-profits, including Birch Grove Foundation, WE Connect, Cook County Youth Agency, Cook County Public Health and Human Services, Snack Packs, Cook County Council on Aging, SNAP, local schools, and Cooperation Station Day Care.
Above, the dessert table was a big attraction at the Empty Bowls fundraiser. More than 500 people attended Empty Bowls this year, a record turnout. Staff photos/Brian Larsen
Serving on the Empty Bowls Organizing Committee are Pat Campanaro, Ada Igoe, Beth Kennedy, and Judi Barsness.
Partnering with the Empty Bowls is the Grand Marais Art Colony and St. John’s Catholic Church. Event sponsors this year were
Arrowhead Electric Cooperative, Beth’s Fudge/Birchbark Books and Gifts/ Picnic and Pine, Buck’s Hardware, Cascade Vacation Rentals, Cook County Whole Foods Coop, and the Grand Marais State Bank.
Even though 2019 empty bowls is over, it’s not too late to donate to help stop hunger in Cook County. Make a check out to KIDS Plus (the fiscal agent of Empty Bowls) at P.O. Box 63, Grand Marais, Mn. 55604.
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