Homemade soup and handcrafted bowls by local potters will be the highlight at The Central Vermont Empty Bowl Benefit, a fundraiser for the Vermont Foodbank, on Sunday, February 15 from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at The Mud Studio in the Red Hen complex on Route 2 in Middlesex. Those attending the event will select a ceramic bowl to take home with them and their choice of two soups and locally sourced accompaniments to either eat at the studio or carry out.
“Our idea is that people coming to the event will take their soup bowls home, and when they go to fill it, will remember that an empty bowl is a sad reality for many Vermonters, who find it a constant challenge to put food on their tables,” said Mike Sullivan, owner of The Mud Studio.
The studio, which is organizing and sponsoring the event, offers classes for all ages and provides gallery space for the work of local artists and craftspeople.
Last year’s event raised $4,370 for the Vermont Foodbank, the state’s largest hunger relief organization.
“We are thrilled to again be the beneficiary of this empty bowl even, said John Sayles, Vermont Foodbank CEO. “Hunger affects everyone in Vermont in some way, and events like this one give us the opportunity to make our community a better place.”
In 2014, the Foodbank provided 9 million pounds for food, 1.2 million of which was fresh produce, to 153,000, or 1 in 4 Vermonters in need of food help.
Businesses donating to the event are Mud Studio, Capitol Copy, Cold Hollow Cider Mill, Dog River Farm, Greenfield Highland Beef, Hunger Mountain Coop, Lazy Lady Farm, MiddleGround Florist, Misty Knolls Farm, North Branch Café, Pete’s Greens, Red Hen Bakery, Sarducci’s, The World, Willow Moon Farm, and several professional area potters.
The minimum adult donation is $25, which includes a bowl, soup and accompaniments. Tickets for children ages 5-12 are $5 for a meal only, and children under 5 are free for a meal only. All proceeds will go to the Vermont Foodbank.