On behalf of the Pine Tree Potters' Guild, I would like to express our gratitude to everyone who participated in our 11th Annual Empty Bowls event on Saturday November 28th at Trinity Anglican Church in Aurora.
Due to COVID-19 we had to host a very different event this year. We were determined to continue our Empty Bowls tradition, particularly this year as our recipient charities working to relieve hunger and homelessness in our community need our financial help now more than ever. Instead of the sit-down indoor soup tasting experience we have enjoyed in years past, we moved our event outside to maintain social distance and keep everyone safe. Thankfully, the weather co-operated with a chilly but clear and sunny day.
In addition to raising funds for our two recipient charities, we also wanted to provide a way to help support our area restaurants struggling to keep their businesses running during this pandemic. We reached out to all of the restaurants that have so generously supported Empty Bowls over the past 10 years and invited them to participate in a "coupon initiative". Along with a beautiful hand-crafted bowl, ticket holders also received a coupon booklet from this year's participating restaurants. It is our hope that these coupons will, in return, help to support their business.
Pine Tree Potters' members worked hard all year crafting the variety of beautiful bowls on display under a large tent in the parking lot of Trinity Anglican Church. Because we had an abundance of bowls this year, ticket holders were invited to purchase an additional bowl if they wished. These additional bowl purchases allowed us to exceed our initial fundraising expectations. This year we raised over $16,000.00 to be donated to Aurora's Welcoming Arms and Inn From the Cold, Newmarket. Since our first event in 2010, Pine Tree Potters' Guild has raised over $190,000.00 for local charities.
We wish to extend a heartfelt "Thank You" to Meridian Credit Union Aurora for a very generous grant; Tucker's Pottery Supplies for donating the clay used by our potters for crafting the bowls; David Schembri Design , Alyson Murray Designs , and Allegra Print Aurora for donating our printed materials; and Trinity Anglican Church for their support and donation of the space we needed to host our event. Finally, we are so very grateful for all of our dedicated volunteers who donated their time and skills to ensure that everything ran smoothly.
The following is a list of the culinary establishments that participated in this year's coupon initiative:
Aw Shucks
Bijoy's Restaurant
Cachet Supper Club
Catharina's Kitchen
Dorio's Kettleby Italian Bakery
The Kitchen by Food in Motion
Graystones Restaurant
La Bréhandaise Catering
Maunder's Food Shop
Pine Farms Orchard
Ristorante Orsini
Rockford's Bar and Grill
Romy's Restaurant and Lounge
State and Main Kitchen and Bar Aurora
Vintage Spice
Thank you very much to all who participated. We are proud of what our Empty Bowls event has accomplished and the support our community has shown us during this most unusual and challenging year.
Looking forward to 2021!
Jacqueline Adamek, Chair, 2020 Empty Bowls Committee, Pine Tree Potters' Guild.
Thank you to Thao Chao for photographing the event this year.
