Proceeds from simple meals served in sophisticated ceramics help feed Ashland’s neediest residents
Since Peace House began sponsoring Empty Bowls in Ashland in 2012, a feature of the event has been civic leaders clad in aprons and toques ladling soup into the bowls of attendees. This year, both Tyler Hokama, interim executive director of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and Tim Bond, OSF’s artistic director, will take their turns on the serving line.
Empty Bowls is scheduled for this Friday, Oct. 13, from 4:30 to 7 p.m., in Wesley Hall at the First United Methodist Church, 175 N. Main St., Ashland. The proceeds of Empty Bowls always support organizations serving Ashland’s poorest and unhoused residents. This year the recipients will be Peace House’s Uncle Foods Diner, Food Angels and the local Jobs with Justice chapter’s free meals program.
Attendees buy a ticket, pick out a bowl handmade by area potters, then get it filled with soup donated by area restaurants. Tickets are $25 ($10 for students) and may be purchased at the door or on-line at peacehouse.net.
Other celebrity servers include City Councilor Gina DuQuenne, philanthropists Kathryn and Barry Thalden, former Ashland Mayor and state Sen. Alan DeBoer, and Ashland.news Executive Editor Bert Etling.
Among the soup donors are C Street Bistro, Maren Faye Catering, Pangea and Sawadee Thai. La Baguette, La Vida, Organicos, Philippe the Baker and Rise Up are donating the bread. And longtime friends of the event are baking cookies.
Potters associated with Clayfolk generously donate the work of their hands to make the event possible. In addition to the bowls, some of their other ceramic creations will be on sale.
Herbert Rothschild, who has chaired the event since 2016, spoke of the joyful spirit always manifest at the gathering.
“During the two years that COVID-19 prevented us from holding our Empty Bowls in person, bowls were delivered to the homes of ticket buyers,” he recalled. “As usual, Ashland poured out its heart to those in need among us. But what was missing was the celebration of caring spirit. It was wonderful when we were finally able to be together in person again last year. I know that this year will feel the same way.”
For more information about the event, call Peace House at 541-482- 9625.
Source: Peace House news release. Herbert Rothschild is a board member of Ashland.news, which adheres to editorial independence policies. Email Ashland.news at news@ashland.news.
