Empty Bowls

Now celebrating its 8th year, Viroqua once again hosted the Empty Bowls Project, a fundraiser to fight poverty and world hunger. The event was held in the  the Viroqua High School cafeteria.

Devorah Yahn, local potter/artist, not only started the yearly event but also  coordinates the collection of donated bowls from area, regional and national potters. 

A $25 donation purchased a bowl and 2 samplings of any of the16 soups accompanied by a buttered bread slice and drink choices. ($5 extra for each extra soup sampling) One specified if their monetary donation stays local, goes international/ designates a specific charity. 

500+ people supported this year's event during the 3 hour time time frame purchasing some 300+ bowls.  

After the difficult task of selecting and purchasing one's bowl, a rinsing station was nearby. Terrific idea considering the numerous admirers touching the donated bowls.

The 30 gallons of 16 soup varieties were donated by area restaurants, local chefs, organizations and high schools as was the bread and drinks. 

Jane Siemon lead the kitchen/ soup part of the event.    

The high school's cafeteria serving line worked perfectly for one's soup and bread choices.

A separate table held the beverages. 

Remember we are in Organic Valley country so a lot of good local ingredients made up this soup  dinner... 

Without the generosity of many this community event could not happen.

Some 60 volunteers were coordinated by friend Denise Buckbee who  also is club sponsor for her high school's Diversity Club. They not only volunteered but also made bowls to support their school's food pantry. A first time for many to use clay, they raised $500. 

Diversity Club selling  their  clay pots...

 Club members trying out soups during  break 

Ms. Buckbee stated, "Their school food pantry sends home weekend snacks and bags of groceries for the kids and provides larger meals for the holiday seasons.  Our school is at a 60% poverty rate- that is the amount of kids who are on free or reduced lunch. Along with a few other teachers we were given a reduction in our student loans because we work/serve in a high need community/school district. Poverty is real and local."

A special thanks was posted in recognition at Empty Bowls to special farmers who've donated produce for Second Harvest during 2011-2014: Ridgeland Harvest, Driftless Organics, EZ Farming, Harvest Moon Farms, Keewaydin, Turkey Ridge Orchard and Small Family Farm. Besides donating, many allow gleaning after they finish harvesting. How terrific for local farmers to share their bounty!

My lovely bowl made by one of my past Viterbo student's mom 

The Empty Bowl Project garnered approximately $8600 with $2600 going internationally and 
$6000 locally. 

Any community could 
benefit from this project, couldn't yours?

Thanks to all who donated their time and talents. It takes a village to feed those who do not have enough. May we always work towards eradicating poverty and hunger... We are supposed to be the richest country in the world. 

 * Hunger facts:
-50 million Americans face hunger issues (1 / 65 citizens)
-1 in 5 children in Wisconsin live in poverty (below 2,000/month for a family of 4)
-36% of those served in SW Wisconsin by Second Harvest are below 18 yrs of age
- In 2011 81.3%  of female single head of household families in Vernon County lived at/below the poverty level.(19,970 for a family of 3)

*Health facts:
As a result of the combination of not having enough food nor the access to nutritional foods served by Second Harvest in SW WI:
-36% of households has at least one person with diabetes
-53 % report at least one person with  high blood pressure
-46% report their health status as poor/ fair.