Photo by Bonnie J. Gordon/ladailypost.com
By Bonnie J. Gordon
Empty bowls got filled up at the 18th annual Empty Bowl event, held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the Betty Ehart Senior Center.
A lively crowd chose from handmade bowls and enjoyed a choice of delicious soups for a $10 donation.
About 700 beautiful bowls were available for purchase.
All of the money raised during the Empty Bowl event goes directly to support the work of Self Help, Inc.
The nonprofit organization assists Northern New Mexico families in need of immediate emergency aid, and encourages the growth of small businesses with seed money grants.
Self Help, Inc. is committed to enhancing life skills and empowering individuals by providing programs and services that focus on developing self-reliance.
“Attendance at Empty Bowl is good this year,” Self Help Director Ellen Morris-Bond said. “We have a lot of new event volunteers.”
Morris-Bond praised the efforts of Event Chair Gillian Sutton of KRSN Kommunity Radio in making the event a success.
This year, Empty Bowl included a silent auction.
“The return of the silent auction gives people another way to contribute to the cause,” Sutton said.
This year, in addition to other projects, Self Help, Inc. provided assistance to families impacted by the Las Conchas Fire.
“We felt moved to become an advocate for people who were impacted by the fire,” Morris-Bond said. “We received grants from United Way and Los Alamos National Bank to provide help to families with needs not covered by insurance.”
Self Help, Inc. is always in need of volunteers to help staff its office.
Call 662-4666 to learn more about Self Help, Inc. and to volunteer.
Gillian Sutton, Empty Bowls event chair, displays a Buffalo Tours inspired bowl. Photo by Greg Kendall/ladailypost.com
Fran and Don Kendall are happy with their picks from this year’s bowls. Photo by Greg Kendall/ladailypost.com
The Empty Bowls event was well attended. Photo Greg Kendall/ladailypost.com
