AMHERST – Ceramic bowls made by professional and high school artists and celebrity wait staff serving food will be featured at the Empty Bowls fundraiser for the Amherst Survival Center.
The eighth annual event will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. March 21 at The Pub, 15 East Pleasant St., and comes as the center celebrates its 40th year.
“This annual event provides critical support for our work to serve individuals and families who are struggling and in need of food, clothing, health care and community,” said Mindy Domb, the center’s executive director.
Domb said the hope is to exceed the $25,000 raised last year, possibly reaching $30,000. It is the biggest annual fundraiser for the center.
“There are 12 confirmed wait staff including the members of the Amherst Select Board, our fire chief and our police chief,” Domb said.
Last year close to 6,000 people in Hampshire and Franklin counties were supported by the center’s free programs, including a food pantry, community meals, a drop-in health clinic, daily fresh produce and a community store.
At the Empty Bowls event, guests select the handcrafted bowl, some made by members of the Mudpie Potters and the Asparagus Valley Potters Guild, and a soup to go in it, including vegetarian and gluten-free options, made by 15 area restaurants.
Atkins Farms provides cider, and a cash bar is also available.
There will also be a raffle to win a bowl made by contemporary glass artist Josh Simpson, and tip jars on every table can offer additional financial support that will be matched by a donor.
The Pub donates its restaurant and staff, as well as salad, bread and butter.
Aaron Jolly, owner of The Pub, said in a statement that his restaurant is committed to efforts to fight hunger.
“Our staff embraces the evening and this opportunity to express their support,” Jolly said.
Tickets are $30 in advance and can be bought online at www.amherstsurvival.org/emptybowls or by going to A.J. Hastings, 45 South Pleasant St., and The Pub.
A limited number of tickets will also be available at the door the night of the event for $35 each, though Domb cautions that these people may not get a bowl.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com
