Empty Bowls for Haiti returns

Ester Albrecht of Dundee Pottery sands the bottom of handcrafted bowls being prepared for the upcoming Empty Bowls for Haiti fundraiser. Contributed photo

By Diane Danen

Empty Bowls for Haiti is back again this year, giving people in our community a way to help others.

Empty Bowls for Haiti takes place on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Steinmann Mennonite Church at 1316 Snyder’s Rd. W, Baden. Guests are invited to enjoy delicious soup, live music and good company, all while supporting important work in Haiti. There are two sittings to choose from: 5-6:30 p.m. or 7-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 each and space is limited. Donations will also be accepted at the event, and tax receipts are available.

Empty Bowls for Haiti began in 2006 when Rosemary Arthurs teamed up with Lois and Lee Steckley to raise funds for Haiti. Their connection to the country was personal. At the time, their children lived and worked in Port-au-Prince, supporting local food systems and community development. Instability in Haiti’s food supply is the result of many factors including deforestation.

Deforestation has been happening in Haiti for hundreds of years and continues to be a serious issue. Over the years, land has been cleared to make room for sugar, coffee and cotton plantations and to supply wood for cooking and refining sugar. Logging has also been an important source of revenue to help pay down government debt. In Haiti, much of the land is on steep slopes. As the topsoil erodes and dries out, it becomes harder to grow crops.

To find new farmland today, people cut down more forests, which leads to even more erosion. This cycle has hurt the land and the people who rely on farming, which includes nearly half of Haiti’s workers. To help understand the struggles faced in Haiti, Arthurs recommends reading the book, The Uses of Haiti by Paul Farmer.

All proceeds from Empty Bowls will go toward the work of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in Haiti, particularly its reforestation and climate resilience projects in rural communities. Tree planting helps to prevent soil erosion, improve crop yields and provide sustainable sources of wood for charcoal, an important source of income for many families.

Empty Bowls for Haiti was first held in Carol Cressman’s barn, but more recently, the event has taken place at Steinmann Mennonite Church. The event is entirely volunteer run with strong support from members of the Steinmann Mennonite Church and the broader community.

“Anyone who knows me gets dragged into it!” Arthurs jokes, highlighting the community spirit that drives the event year after year.

New volunteers are always welcome. Those interested can reach out to Arthurs by email at rsarthurs@icloud.com.

The concept is simple but powerful. Each guest selects a handcrafted pottery bowl donated by Dundee Pottery. Bowls are created by pottery friends and students of the studio. This year, over 600 bowls have been made for the event. Guests will have an opportunity to use their bowl to sample a variety of soups generously prepared and donated by area restaurants and organizations.

It’s a great chance to enjoy a delicious meal, take home a beautiful bowl, and support a great cause. To register or learn more, visit https://mcc.org/events/empty-bowls-haiti.