Bowls from local artists, Humboldt State University's ceramics lab and thrift stores donated over 150 bowls to the Community Food Council's Empty Bowls fundraiser. Photo: Courtesy of Jason Hartwick

With its Empty Bowls fundraiser generating $5,000, the Community Food Council has reached the $25,000 fundraising goal it set for its Pacific Pantry this fall.

But with Community Development Block Grant dollars for the food bank still uncertain, representatives say they're grateful for any community donations the organization receives.

From the Community Food Council:

On Saturday, December 14^th, amidst a cold rainy evening, Del Norte High championship football game, Jaycee basketball tournament, Madrigals dinner, and holiday parties, 140 people turned out for the Empty Bowls Soup Fundraising Dinner at the Crescent City Cultural Center. The event was hosted by the DNATL Community Food Council to bring awareness to food insecurity in Del Norte County and raise funds to buy food for the Pacific Pantry. The unique and intimate event was a huge success, raising $5000, enough to cover 1 month of food for the Pacific Pantry. Empty Bowls is an international project to fight hunger, with each ceramic bowl representing someone in the world that is hungry. 

 

Volunteers and organizations rallied together over one of the busiest times of year to bring all the elements of the event together. Cal Fresh Health Living and Champions for Change played an integral part in planning, cooking, and helping with the event. A $20 entrance fee gave guests a choice of a handmade ceramic bowl to take home, over 15 different varieties of soup, 5 different fresh baked breads, coffee/tea/hot chocolate, and a plethora of dessert cookies accompanied by Alexandre Farm’s flavored milks. HSU Ceramics lab, local ceramic artists, and thrift stores donated over 150 bowls. Soups were donated by local restaurants Seaquake, Bellenotte, Good Harvest, Ocean 675, Elk Valley Rancheria, and local volunteers.  Cookies made by Requa Inn and volunteers filled two tables with an incredible array.  A silent auction display of 26 different items ranging from spa services, fishing & rafting trips, yoga passes; garden installations, and local art pieces donated from local businesses raised $1400.  Portland based bluegrass band, Band of the Comerados, stopped in and played a fantastic set of music for the event.

The Community Food Council was overwhelmed with gratitude by the outpouring of support from the community. Andrea Lanctot, Food Program Coordinator, said, “ We are so grateful for the amount of support we have received over the past month for the Pacific Pantry. To see 140 people come out to support this event, as well as so many volunteers and businesses donating items and time to make this a success, makes me feel extremely humbled and proud to be part of this community. If this isn't the Christmas spirit, I don't know what is. ”

Empty Bowls is part of a multifaceted fundraising campaign to keep the Pacific Pantry open after their City Block Grant funding came to an end on November 1st, due to causes beyond the Pacific Pantry’s control.  The Pacific Pantry, located at the Family Resource Center of the Redwoods and managed by the DNATL Community Food Council, is a choice based food pantry that features local and organic products and serves over 600 households a month with emergency food. 

Since launching the campaign on November 12^th, $30,000 has been raised through an online crowdfunding campaign, cranberry sauce sales, and donations from the Caldwell Clan, Wild Rivers Community Foundation, Humboldt Area Foundation, St. Joe's Hospital, Elk Valley Rancheria, Philanthropic Fund of the Caldwells, and community member donations ranging from $5-$500. The pantry has also seen support from community members, schools, and organizations hosting food drives and bringing those boxes of food donations to the pantry.

Despite meeting their fundraising goal for the end of the year, the Pacific Pantry is not totally out of the weeds yet.  Renewed City Block Grant funding will not kick in until next November and is not guaranteed. The funding they have raised will help them keep the pantry open through the winter months but ongoing fundraising and financial support will still be needed until sustainable funding is secured.  Community members can donate to the Pacific Pantry through https://www.dnatlfood.com/donate.html, write a check to the Family Resource Center of the Redwoods (Pacific Pantry in the memo), or drop off food items to the Pacific Pantry located at 494 Pacific Ave. Food items needed most are high protein items such as peanut butter, canned chicken and tuna, and nuts. 

For more information, call Andrea Lanctot at (707) 464-0955 extension 2109 or email alanctot@frcredwoods.org.

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