THUNDER BAY — Robin Cooper is entering her sixth year of being involved in the Empty Bowls Caring Hearts fundraiser.
With just weeks to go until the 24th edition of the event, the chair was asked about how she first got recruited to help those in need.
“A good friend of mine, Michelle Jordan, was previously the executive director of Shelter House Thunder Bay. They were looking for a new chair for the group; She put my name forward and then they approached me and I decided that was something I could do,” Cooper reflected.
Cooper went onto say, “I have met a really wonderful group of people that I get to work with on organizing the event. We are an interesting crew because [although] we [may] come from very different backgrounds, [we all have] a desire to help our community.”
Cooper also states that Shelter House, which is one of the benefactors of this event, is very important to her as she has spent a lot of time there making dinners for those less fortunate.
All proceeds from the event will also support the efforts of the Thunder Bay Food Bank.
The Empty Bowls Caring Hearts event will return to a sit-down meal after being limited to a virtual, drive through format during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are pretty excited about going back inside because we know that's what people really enjoy about our event is that community building that happens,” Cooper added. “You know [you may see someone that] you haven’t seen in a while or [you are there] with friends and spending time with them. [This is a] very different kind of fundraiser. It's very casual and relaxed, people are just hanging out, eating good soup and [everyone] gets excited about picking their bowl.”
The event is scheduled for Oct. 15th with the take-out option available from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
The doors to the Moose Hall on Fort William Road will open at 4:30 p.m with dinner commencing at 6 p.m.
When asked about the challenges of bringing back the in-person option, Cooper said “Getting back some of those folks who may not have been a part of the drive-through event. [I also think] there will be some people who just don't want to be a part of big events anymore, and I understand that as well. We are hoping that by giving people the option of doing a takeout meal; They can go home, enjoy the soup and [come back] later on when we are all sitting down together in the hall… they can still be a part of it just at home and maybe it will feel a little more comfortable for them.”
The event dates back to 1990, when a high school art teacher in Michigan helped students that were looking for a way to support a local food drive. What came of this was a class project to make ceramic bowls for a fundraiser dinner. Since then, many variations on the event have become an annual affair across North America, and around the world.
The Empty Bowls mission in Thunder Bay has raised approximately $400,000 since its beginning in 2000.
