Empty Bowls

Ladles presents Empty Bowls

Addressing social issues such as hunger relief is not a problem that can be tackled on an individual basis, rather it is a systemic problem that only a community can resolve. Most of us associate hunger with third world countries or isolated neighborhoods far removed from those we know. This misconception taints the reality surrounding food access in the United States. Such perceptions falsely suggest that limited access to food persists due to a lack of resources rather than faulty distribution of available resources. When businesses combine their resources with the talent and social capital of the community, they can effectively address corrigible problems such as hunger relief. As a way of joining the effort to fight hunger, Ladles is headlining an Empty Bowl program.

The idea is to have local artists and a few of our local farmers donate their labor and talent to Empty Bowls. Participating artists donate wheel thrown soup bowls or mugs. In order to cover material costs, specifically the clay and glaze, we ask that artists estimate the amount of these costs, so we can be reimburse them once a piece is sold. Although these cost are typically minimal, we believe the key to a sustainable donation program is ensuring that those already contributing their time are not paying for expenses out of pocket. We would like to turn intangible donations of time, talent, and labor, into tangible, or monetary donations, which would then be passed on to a hunger relief agency. Ladles operates under the same guidelines by subtracting the ingredient cost of the donated soups and passing the remaining profits onto a local non-profit. At our booth, we display 3 bowls a day which are available for purchase. When a bowl is bought, the customer receives a pint of our jarred soup and the revenue, minus material and ingredient costs, goes to feeding Portland’s hungry.

Reneé Shearer has been graciously donating hand crafted bowls to our Empty Bowls program and we are very grateful for her continued support. In addition to her involvement with Ladles, Reneé has recently opened a shop on Alberta street in northeast Portland and continues to sell at First Thursday Art Fair in the Pearl. Reneé also offers personalized lessons in wheel throwing so that you too can learn basic techniques and professional shortcuts.

Reneé Shearer:

(503) 880-8606
yrshearer@gmail.com
www.wildprairie.com