(Click here to go straight to the ticket-purchasing page for Empty Bowls 2012!)
It’s hard to believe, but an estimated 2,000 people will join forces in March to help raise money for the many hungry people in the Sacramento region. With need continuing to rise, especially among families with children and seniors, the $125,000 that River City Food Bank hopes to raise couldn’t come too soon.
Empty Bowls, River City Food Bank’s most important fundraiser, has grown into a real community-wide event over its nine year history. This year, more than 1,000 people are expected to attend either the supper event on Monday, March 5, or the luncheon event on Tuesday, March 6. Meanwhile, hundreds of students, professional artists and potters have been working for months to create bowls for guests to choose from upon their arrival at the event.
And that’s not counting the many volunteers who organize and set up, prominent chefs who create the soups, or the celebrities who don aprons to greet guests and dish out soups.
The $60 ticket for the Monday evening event, from 5:30-7:30 p.m., includes not only a choice of gourmet soups and an opportunity to select a one-of-a-kind bowl to take home, but wine, hors d’oeuvres and dessert. For the first time, Classique Catering is sponsoring the evening event and promises to present a delicious menu.
The luncheon, slated for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., will be divided into an 11 a.m. and 12:30 seating. The $30 luncheon ticket includes a bowl to take home as a reminder of the many empty bowls in our community, as well as a selection of soups, bread, and dessert. Both events include a Potters’ Market featuring booths of arts and crafts items provided by local artists.
“It’s a simple meal with a simple message: people are hungry,” says Eileen Thomas, executive director.
Under the leadership of co-chairs Beth Foondos and Betsy Myers, RCFB is kicking the event up a notch with a new venue: the Sacramento Convention Center.
“We’re so grateful for the generosity of the Sacramento Masonic Temple for letting us use their beautiful ballroom on J Street for so many years,” explains Eileen, “but the event just outgrew it.”
Attendees will continue to enjoy the informal atmosphere of the simple soup supper or luncheon, but without bottlenecks caused by the limited space. Although there will still be two luncheon seatings, there will be plenty of tables so that people can linger with friends.
Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets may be purchased online, or at one of two Sacramento retailers: The Cathedral Bookshop, 2620 Capitol Avenue, or Avid Reader at the Tower, 1600 Broadway.
What restaurants are creating soups?
The Broiler, Café Bernardo, Classique Catering, The Grange, Greek Village Inn, Lucca Restaurant and Bar, Michelangelo’s, R15, Scott’s Seafood Grill and Bar, and Vizcaya
Where do the bowls come from?
Area students from the following area schools produce an amazingly creative array of bowls: American River College, Christian Brothers High School, Consumnes Oaks High School, CSUS Ceramics Center, Elk Grove High School, Highlands High School, Rio Americano High School, Twelve Bridges Middle School, Twin Lakes Elementary School, Sacramento City College, Sheldon High School, Sierra College, and Vista del Lago High School.
Some of the most polished bowl creations come from professional potters as well as amateurs who participate in ceramic, wood and glass workshops. Wooden and glass bowls are very popular, and Norcal Woodturners have pledged 100 of their hand-turned creations!
Bowls are expected from: Firebox Ceramics, Allied Ceramics Art Institute, P.K. Bryan Ceramics Studio and Student Workshop, Classen Studio, gd Designs, Hands in Mud Workshop, JM Ceramics, Mudpie Pottery, Natural Fire, Nor-Cal Woodturners, Practical Pottery, Stellar Studios, Kanika African Sculptures, Terraluna Art, Ray Gonzales Artworks, John C. Reiger Pottery, and R.R. Ceramics.
Thanks to our sponsors
Sponsorships are vital to the financial success of Empty Bowls. Please take a moment to look at the list of sponsors on our website’s Empty Bowls page.
