As Fall is in the air, it’s time to mark your calendars for the 9th annual Talbot County Empty Bowls Community Dinner to be held Sunday, February 26th, 2017. The successful fundraising event has become a locals’ favorite and benefits both Talbot County area food pantries and CarePacks. Each year the dinner raises much needed funds and heightens awareness about the serious hunger issues that exist in our community.
Photo: Alex Handy, representing St. Vincent de Paul Society, receiving a check for their food pantry from Leslie Hamburger, Empty Bowls of Talbot County committee member.
Since its inception in 2009, the annual Talbot County Empty Bowls Community Dinner has distributed a total of $105,026 to area food banks. Recipients include Asbury Methodist Church, Scott’s United Methodist Church, St. Vincent de Paul Society of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Neighborhood Service Center, Presbyterian Church of Easton, St. Michaels Food Pantry, Tilghman Food Pantry, and Union United Methodist Church. The CarePacks of Talbot County program for children in need is also a beneficiary.
The $20 ticket to the dinner provides each guest with a handmade bowl laden with homemade soup. Anna Harding, Founder and Co-Chair remarked, “It is our hope that each bowl will remind our guests that someone else’s bowl is always empty and be an encouragement to support those organizations who are working every day to feed those in need throughout Talbot County.”
For anyone interested in making a bowl for the event, Kiln Born Creations, formerly Clay Bakers, is offering an Empty Bowls paint package for $14.00. This offer begins January 1, 2017 and ends February 21, 2017 and does not include admission to the dinner. Kiln Born Creations is located at #1 South Washington Street in Easton.
There are two seatings at this often sold out event—the first at 5PM; the second will begin at 6:30PM. Tickets go on sale January 4, 2017 and must be purchased in advance by mailing a check for $20 per person to the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, 102 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD. 21601. Checks should be made payable to Mid-Shore/Empty Bowls. Please indicate which seating you prefer and include a phone number. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.mscf.org. Click on the “events” tab at the tops of the page and complete the form.
Contributions and sponsorships are key to the success of the all-volunteer event. Financial donations may be sent to the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, 102 East Dover, Easton, Maryland 21601. Updates can be found on the organization’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/talbotcountyemptybowls or by visiting https://talbotcountyemptybowls.org.
“For the past eight years, our generous community has joined together to fight to end hunger, one bowl at a time. Thousands of individuals have either purchased a ticket and attended our Talbot County Empty Bowls Community Dinner, painted a bowl, cooked soups, made desserts, volunteered time, or financially contributed to this effort,” said Susan DuPont, Co-Chair of the organization. “This is the spirit and the face of the Empty Bowls community. It is each of us stepping up as we can that has made the difference.”
The dinner will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church Hall, 7215 Ocean Gateway in Easton, located on the westbound lane of Route 50, west of the Maryland State Police barracks. In case of inclement weather, the event will be cancelled.
Mark your calendars for Sunday, February 26, 2017 and join your friends and neighbors for the 9th annual Talbot County Empty Bowls Community Dinner…eliminating hunger one bowl at a time.
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