STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

The always popular Empty Bowls is back after a two-year absence due to the pandemic.

But this year it will have a new beneficiary: The Blaine County Charitable Fund.

The fundraiser will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood at Warm Springs and Saddle roads. Guests can purchase ceramic bowls contributed by Boulder Mountain Clayworks for $25 each ($10 for children 10 and under) and fill them with soups, salads, chili, bread and dessert donated by local chefs and caterers.

Lauren Street, who oversees Boulder Mountain Clayworks, says her organization has more than 300 hand-crafted, hand-painted bowls to select from—good news for those who have collected them over the years.

“We have been making bowls the last two years anticipating the return of the event, and we had more made by all the grade schools and some of our members,” she said. “We are very excited to have the event again because it’s an incredibly supportive community event and Mary Fauth and her organization have been doing great work.”

The Hunger Coalition passed the torch to Blaine County Charitable Fund, which was founded in the early days of the pandemic to help Wood River Valley residents pay rent and keep the lights on when many saw their work come to a standstill.

BCCF has continued to help in various ways, helping with the housing crisis and even helping 31 residents find emergency shelter during the holidays when cold temperatures made it impossible to stay in their cars and other accommodations.

“The Hunger Coalition is grateful to have been the beneficiary of this event for so many years and we’re excited to pass the torch to another important cause,” said Krista Felton, director of philanthropy for The Hunger Coalition. “Supporting our workforce goes beyond food, and Blaine County Charitable Fund is poised to do just that. We hope our friends and supporters will help carry on the tradition, finding new ways to support and uplift the hard working people of our valley.”

Mary Fauth, the executive director of the Blaine County Charitable Fund, said she is happy about the exposure Empty Bowls will bring to her organization, not to mention the funds it will raise.

“I'm so honored to take this tradition on. Empty Bowls is a great way to give back to our community over the shared joy of a good meal,” she said. “This event raises critical funds that go directly back into our community, helping people with emergency expenses like rent, utilities, and gas. It is a pleasure to partner with Boulder Mountain Clayworks and Church of the Big Wood on this feel-good community event.”

Restaurants and caterers donating food including Atkinsons’ Market, Rasberrys Catering and Bistro, Big Belly Deli, Bigwood Bread Bakery and Café, The Chocolate Moose, CK’s Real Food, Cookbook Restaurant, The Covey, 7 Fuego, The Haven, The Ketchum Grill, Mahoney’s Bar and Grill, The Mint, Nourish Me, Perry’s Restaurant, Red Star, Sean Templeton and The Boho Lounge, Starbucks, Sun Valley Resort and Warfield Distillery & Brewery.

Want to learn more? Call Mary Fauth at the Blaine County Charitable fund at 208-244-5205.