Empty Bowls event fights childhood hunger
ELLI GOLDMAN HILBERT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 5 months AGO
Hand-designed and painted ceramic bowls waiting to be chosen at the Empty Bowls fundraiser organized by the Post Falls Food Bank; event takes place this Thursday, August 26 at 5 p.m. at Black Bay Park in Post Falls
Photo courtesy of Leslie Orth, Post Falls Food Bank
Leslie Orth, executive director of the Post Falls Food Bank
POST FALLS — The Post Falls Food Bank is hosting its annual Empty Bowls fundraiser at 5 p.m. Thursday at Black Bay Park, 1299 E. Third Ave.
The cost is $20 per bowl. All proceeds will support the Weekend Backpack Nutrition Program for Post Falls schoolchildren kindergarten through 6th grade.
“A lot of kids are not able to get good nutrition on the weekends when they are away from school,” said event coordinator Leslie Orth, executive director of the Post Falls Food Bank.
Due to issues such as severe poverty, mental illness or drug abuse in the home, these children are sometimes “eating crackers for dinner on the weekends,” Orth said.
The Weekend Backpack Nutrition program provides a nutritious meal kit for about 150 kids each week during the school year.
Providing that many students with a two-day supply of meals 26 weeks out of the year is a huge task.
“We’ve already ordered the milk and mac-n-cheese cups, over 7,000 units," Orth said.
Empty Bowls has been held for about 10 years, except last year when it was canceled due to COVID-19.
“People tell me they come early to stand in line and get the best bowl,” Orth said.
Partnering with Kim Washko’s Hands to Art ceramics studio in Coeur d’Alene, about 200 bowls have been painted by local artists and students.
The bowls are then kiln-fired and ready to be chosen.
“We will have seven or eight types of ice cream with all of the toppings,” Orth said. “You can eat your way through the ice cream and then keep the bowl.”
Last year a group of special-needs kids and adults designed several bowls, Orth said.
“It is absolutely amazing what people can do,” she said.
ARTICLES BY ELLI GOLDMAN HILBERT
Champion for community, business and women
Eve Knudtsen shared her story Tuesday with the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce
Eve Knudtsen shared her story Tuesday with the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce
Bringing wellness, one mile at a time
Panel of experts speak on the benefits of the North Idaho Centennial Trail
Panel of experts speak on the benefits of the North Idaho Centennial Trail
Auspicious apples
Partnership provides 3,000 pounds of fresh apples to local food bank
A cooperative effort between Super 1 Foods, Charlie’s Produce and FirstFruits Farm provided over 3,000 lbs. of freshly bagged, and much needed Granny Smith apples to the Community Action Partnership Coeur d’Alene food bank.