Not often these days do organizations get to announce that their once-postponed or canceled events have returned to the calendar, however, the OUR Center on Sept. 18 announced its annual Empty Bowls event is back on.
This year, the OUR Center fundraising event will be lined up down Main Street between Fourth and Fifth avenues from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Ticket holders of the canceled March event are asked to bring their ticket if they have it, and to sign up for the event online either way between 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m..
This event is usually sold out, however, slots are still available. To purchase a ticket, patrons must choose from the available time slots, between 1-3 p.m., which allow only 50 people in at a time. While viewing the bowls, attendees are asked to observe social distancing and wear a facial covering, according to a Friday email from Elaine Klotz, OUR Center development director.
In memory of Tracy Cravens bowl and plate, by Mark Williams (Photo courtesy of the OUR Center)
Bowls are sold for $20 each and all the proceeds support the OUR Center food program, which has served 20,982 meals since the pandemic quarantine period began in March.
In past years, the feature of the event has been the community coming together to have a meal, filling their empty bowls.
“It will definitely have a different feel, as we cannot sit down and enjoy a meal together as we typically do. However, we are excited to just be able to get these bowls back out to the community and to get together, albeit with masks and physical distancing. We are also very grateful to (the Longmont Downtown Development Authority) for their partnership in working us to have this in our lovely downtown Longmont, and during Restaurant Week, no less,” Klotz said in her email.
Another part of the Empty Bowls fundraiser each year is a silent auction. This event, too, is coming back but will be moved online between Monday and Oct.4. More details on the auction will be released during the Empty Bowls event.
Kangaroo bowl by Megan LeSage (Photo courtesy of OUR Center)
Auction items have not yet been finalized, however, the featured items include the following two Kangaroo and Koala bowls, donated and painted by Megan LeSage, art teacher at Fredrick High School. LeSage “has painted amazing animal bowls to donate each year,” Klotz said.
Koala bowl by Megan LeSage (Photo courtesy of OUR Center)Correction: Times for current ticket holders and new ticket purchases has been updated and clarified.
