‘Empty Bowls’ fundraiser happening April 21
Tickets are $25 and include soup, breads, plus a handmade item
–The ECHO Empty Bowls luncheon fundraiser is happening Thursday, April 21, 11 – 2 p.m., at Saint William’s Parish in Atascadero. “Those who buy a ticket get a delicious soup and bread lunch prepared by local chefs,” said volunteer Robin Smith. “They’ll also get a beautiful bowl created by local artists and students, or one collected by ECHO volunteers. As an added bonus, they’ll be able to pick up a potholder, trivet, soup bowl cozy or many other items made by local knitters and quilters.”
For lunch, each ticket holder can sample a variety of soups and breads prepared by 18 area restaurants such as McPhee’s Grill, Templeton, Fig Good Food, Atascadero, and Odyssey World Café in Paso Robles. Just a few of the local dignitaries serving the lunch include San Luis Obispo County Supervisors Debbie Arnold, Adam Hill and Bruce Gibson; Father Edwin Limpiado, St. William’s Parish; Atascadero Mayor Tom O’Malley, Paso Robles Mayor Steve Martin, Ron Castle, CEO, Community Health Centers and Sandra Duerr, editor at The Tribune newspaper.
Professional potters Pandora Nash-Karner, Heidi Petersen and Peggy Vrana are creating bowls, along with students from Boyd & Bradley Art Studio, Creston Elementary, Atascadero, Templeton and Paso Robles High Schools, Atascadero Fine Arts Academy, and Cuesta College.
The fundraiser is new for ECHO, El Camino Homeless Organization. Cathy Williams is helping to plan the event and is also a member of the Atascadero Optimist Club, “When I learned that 40 to 60-percent of the beds at ECHO are occupied by children and parents, I knew Optimist Club had to be involved with the Empty Bowls fundraiser. If I am not part of the solution, I am part of the problem. My sons always had food on the table at home and their own bed to sleep in. I want at least that for the kids in our community.” Gail Gallagher has been making quilted potholders and matching them with bowls. “I learned about Empty Bowls through Almond Country Quilt Guild,” she said. “As a quilter this was an opportunity for creative expression that benefits a great cause.”
Tickets are $25. Tickets can be purchased at: Atascadero and Templeton Chambers of Commerce, The Quilter’s Cupboard, Atascadero, Ranch Dog Knitting, Atascadero, Birch Fabrics, Paso Robles, and The Quiltery, Paso Robles. Tickets can be purchased online at www.echoshelter.net. The website also has a downloadable form to mail in with a check. For more information, call Robin Smith at (805) 712-1224.
