The WFP, which opened its doors July of 2011, serves an average of 45 families a month, a number that has grown steadily over the life of the pantry. In order to meet the rising demand, the WFP hopes to sell 300 tickets for the upcoming Empty Bowls event, which will also feature a silent auction.
“This is the first official Empty Bowls event in Saratoga County,” said Dennis Towers, board member of the WFP, co-founder and community outreach coordinator. “The concept is simple. You come in, you choose from several hundred ceramic bowls made by the ceramic art students at Skidmore, and then you fill it with soup, chili and bread and enjoy a simple meal.”
Attendees will be allowed to bring these handmade bowls back home with them after the event – empty bowls meant as a reminder that there are many people right here in the local community facing empty bowls every single day.
“We are excited to hold our inaugural event at the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge so that we can raise awareness about the reality of hunger in our community,” said Jared Dinsmore, president of the WFP, who also wished to thank the event’s “Souper Hero” sponsors Saratoga National Bank, Hannaford Supermarkets and Saratoga Veterinary Hospital.
Preparing the food for the event will be Skidmore’s senior cook Ben Niese, who will help make the vegetable soup, vegetable chili and homemade bread.
