Empty Bowl fundraiser returns to Fayette County after two-year absence
缅北禁地
This file photo shows some of the donated ceramic bowls that have been given to guests at Fayette County鈥檚 Empty Bowl fundraiser.
缅北禁地
Fayette County鈥檚 Empty Bowl fundraiser will be held on Sunday, April 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fayette County Community Action Agency Adult Recreation Center, 137 N. Beeson Ave., Uniontown.
After a two-year hiatus, a popular Fayette County fundraiser to help fight hunger is returning on Sunday, April 24.
Empty Bowls is modeled after an international grassroots effort to fight hunger, and was implemented in Fayette County by the Fayette County Community Action Agency (FCCAA) in 2014.
The local event is run completely through community donations with all proceeds going to support the Fayette County Community Action Agency Food Bank.
Participants receive a take-out container of soup made and donated by 20 local restaurants along with bread and a bottle of water. In the Empty Bowls theme, that 鈥渕eager meal鈥� is designed to be a reminder that, for many throughout our community, such a meal might be the only food they have for the day.
Participants also receive a hand-crafted ceramic bowl donated by local art classes.
Tom Rocks with FCCAA Planning and Development said they normally have around 350 participants for the event, which was canceled in 2020 and 2021.
鈥淲e were disappointed when we did have to cancel the event during the COVID pandemic,鈥� Rocks said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why we were so committed to finding a way to hold the event this year.鈥�
Rocks said the organizers decided very early in the planning stages for this year鈥檚 event to develop ways to incorporate social distancing and other precautions to help people feel safer.
Instead of the sit-down gathering, the organizers made this year a take-out event.
鈥淥ur goal, like everyone鈥檚, is to eventually return to the normal format and structure of our event, which will hopefully be next year,鈥� he said.
Rocks said the biggest feedback they receive every year is that the soups are delicious.
鈥淥ur participants also like the handmade bowls that are made by local students and artists and donated to the event,鈥� Rocks said. 鈥淓veryone enjoys the event and seem to always bring someone new with them the next year.鈥�
Rocks there will be a virtual silent auction held to raise additional funds through Facebook Live.
He added that the items that will be up for bidding have been donated by Abby鈥檚 Jewelry, Andy Warhol Museum, Black Bears Baseball, WVU Baseball, the Pittsburgh Pirates, The State Theater, Whisked Away Creations by Sam, Greta B. Photography, Flume concert tickets and more.
Rocks said the participants have also expressed the enjoyment of being able to support the FCCAA Food Bank and do something that benefits their neighbors throughout the community who might be struggling with hunger.
鈥淎nother thing that participants enjoy is the entertainment and fellowship our event typically provides, which will be a little limited with the structure of this year鈥檚 event, but something we hope to return to very soon,鈥� he said.
Empty Bowls will be held Sunday, April 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Adult Recreation Center located at 137 N. Beeson Ave., Uniontown.
Tickets are $15 in advance. A limited number of at-the-door tickets will be available for $20. Advance tickets can be purchased at www.fccaa.org and selecting 鈥淓mpty Bowls鈥� under 鈥淯pcoming Events鈥� or by in-person at the FCCAA Food Bank, 40 Legion St., Republic; Fayette Chamber of Commerce Office, 65 W. Main St., Uniontown or FCCAA鈥檚 administrative offices, 108 N. Beeson Avenue, Uniontown.