Empty Bowl fundraiser aims to help food bank

SANDPOINT — National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is held each year just before Thanksgiving to bring awareness to the issues in which so many people struggle with.

The third annual Empty Bowl event this Saturday, a fundraiser for the Bonner Community Food Bank titled "A Fair to Remember," will help feed more families throughout the holiday season.

"This fundraiser in particular falls on the week of National Hunger and Homeless Awareness, and I think that is definitely a benefit," said Debbie Love, food bank executive director. "It is a great way to raise awareness and raise some funds for our cause."

In Bonner County, nearly 17 percent of the population struggles with hunger. The Bonner Community Food Bank helps fill the gap by providing services to 900 area families, feeding more than 2,500 people each month. The food bank has seen an increase in need, Love said, with referrals from Health and Welfare and WIC, due to decreases in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

"So having this fundraiser, the proceeds will help us continue to feed the hungry in our community," Love said.

Organized by Nannette Heintzelman, owner of Tremendous Truffles, last year was the first year the event coincided with National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week and also benefited Bonner Homeless Transitions. Since BHT was busy preparing for today's Little Black Dress fundraiser, all proceeds this year benefit the food bank.

Heintzelman attended an Empty Bowl benefit for the food bank about 10 years ago at Di Luna's Cafe, and a year later, she started volunteering at the food bank. A few years later she asked the director at the time if they could do the Empty Bowl event again, and Heintzelman organized it for the first time in 2015. Some other Idaho food banks hold similar events as well, and Heintzelman said in Boise it is their biggest fundraiser.

"Hopefully we will get up to 20 years and make it our number-one fundraiser, too," she said. "... It's a fun way to raise money. For $20, they get a bowl, they get soup, bread, a truffle and entertainment, which is a pretty good deal."

This Saturday's Empty Bowl event will have live music by "Mobius Riff," performances by Allegro Dance Studios, lots of games and coloring. There will also be raffle drawings with gift certificates donated by 60 local businesses.

During the event, $20 will purchase a handmade, handpainted bowl filled with Judy Colegrove of Tango Cafe’s "famous" potato leek soup, Heintzelman said. Bread will be provided by Yoke's and Heintzelman will provide truffles for dessert. Beer and wine from the 219 Lounge will be available for purchase — $5 per glass or $20 for a bottle of wine. Raffle tickets will be sold for $1 each or six for $5.

"A Fair to Remember" runs from 4-8 p.m. Saturday in the Columbia Bank Building, 414 Church St.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.