Folk School staff, presented a check to four local food banks for funds raised during the school’s annual Empty Bowls event.

Thanks to community support and generous donations, the Folk School annual Empty Bowls event, held March 29, raised more than $9,000 to infuse local food insecurity efforts.  

 The school presented a check for $9,779.74 to be split among four food banks serving Clay and Cherokee counties: the Sharing Center in Murphy, Matt’s Ministry, Cherokee County Food Bank, and Clay County Food Pantry.  

“The inspiring generosity of our community helps us continue this vital outreach event,” said Event and Volunteer Manager Morgan Budzinski. “Helping to fight hunger locally takes many hands, and we want to thank everyone who donated to, supported, or attended Empty Bowls or contributed after the event.”  

 The Empty Bowls event is a labor of love for Folk School staff and volunteers, Budzinski added.  

 Special thanks go out to Clay Coordinator Sienna Shute, who led student and volunteer potters through the multi-step process to build several hundred bowls and Executive Chef Terra Ciotta and Folk School Dining Hall staff who created the meal, including extra portions of soup sold for take-home meals. Thanks also to Dawn Davis and David Bellino, who provided live music for the evening. An additional thanks goes to US Foods for providing in-kind support. And to maximize generosity, surplus bowls were offered for sale to Folk School staff and any remaining bowls were donated to an Asheville-based nonprofit who stage a similar event.

If you or your organization is interested in participating in next year’s Empty Bowls event, please contact Morgan Budzinski at 828-837-2775, ext. 116 or email Morgan via our website.