Fighting hunger: Bitterroot Empty Bowls luncheon set for Nov. 9
As many people feel the pinch of rising costs in everything from housing to utilities and groceries, food insecurity has become more prevalent in Montana communities.
In the Treasure State, 130,980 people are facing hunger — 39,580 of them being children — according to the group Feeding America. The Montana Food Bank Network estimates that one in nine adults and one in every six children in Montana experience food insecurity.
Empty Bowls is an international grassroots initiative that raises funds and awareness to fight hunger and food insecurity. Events are independent in each community with artists, educators, students, and volunteers creating handcrafted bowls. Local restaurants donate soup and bread to serve at the event. Guests can attend a meal and purchase the handcrafted bowls to take home. Money raised goes to local food banks, soup kitchens, and other organizations that fight hunger.
Marilyn Morris, president of the Bitterroot Empty Bowls group said close to two dozen potters have been busy creating bowls for this year's event.
"The potters all get together a few times a year and just keep cranking out bowls so that we go into the event with approximately 300, which is way more than we need, but we want to make sure that we've got that enough out there for people to select from," she said.
Clay Works artists got involved in the event about 10 years ago when a visiting ceramicist from Alaska brought up the idea. They have been throwing bowls for the event ever since.
This year's event will take place on Saturday, Nov. 9 at St. Francis Pastoral Life Center, 411 S. 5th St. in Hamilton. Proceeds will benefit food pantries in the Bitterroot Valley. The event raises about $6,000 annually, according to Morris.
There will be two seatings for this year's luncheon: the first seating will start at 11 a.m., and the second will begin at 12:30 p.m. Food for this year's Empty Bowls event will be provided by Bitterroot Brewing, Bouilla, The Edge, A Thaiger, Coffee Cup, BJ's, The Stock Farm, Trapper Creek Job Corps and River Rising. Tickets cost $30 each and are available at Clay Works! and Chapter One Bookstore in Hamilton. Food will be served by volunteers from the Knights of Columbus.
"I just believe in this event so much," Morris said. "It's just a neat way to raise some money. Everybody has such a fun lunch. It takes an hour and a half out of their day. They get to see friends they haven't seen in a year."
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