House of Blessing’s Empty Bowls painting sessions return

Stratford House of Blessing is bringing back their Empty Bowls painting sessions. About 600 bowls need to be painted ahead of the fall fundraiser.

Stratford House of Blessing Food Bank is looking for painters of all skill levels to help out with one of their largest fundraisers of the year.

About 600 bowls need to be painted for the Empty Bowls fundraiser before the fall event. Stratford House of Blessing is running drop-in paint sessions from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at their facility on 423 Erie St.

Individuals and groups like a bunch of friends or coworkers looking for a team building activity are welcome. House of Blessing can also arrange for painting sessions outside of work hours.

Aaron Balzer, resource coordinator, said the painted bowls part of Stratford’s event, which guests can take home, are unique to other Empty Bowls fundraisers that feature handmade bowl donations from a local potter.

“It's really fun because you get different artists coming in, different people with different styles, different skill levels and you get all these unique one-of-a-kind bowls and there's something for everyone, I found,” he said. “There's a bowl there for each person. It's going to speak to you - it's going to grab your attention and someone's going to enjoy it."

Empty Bowls is one of the largest fundraisers for Stratford House of Blessing, raising over $44,000 from its 2025 edition. Fundraising events like it to keep the shelves well-stocked are vital during a time where many are struggling to keep up with the high cost of living.

“Food banks have just become busier and busier and kind of more and more essential to our communities, unfortunately, due to the cost of living is high and more and more people are finding it hard to make ends meet,” Balzer said. “We're able to step in and help bridge that gap when things are tight and when someone is facing food insecurity."

In addition to being a unique piece of art for the home, the painted bowls from Empty Bowls also serve as a call to action.

“They also represent the idea that there are people, right here in our communities, in our neighbourhoods who have empty bowls and empty shelves and empty fridges, and it's just a reminder of that as well that when we are able to give, that we should give,” Balzer said. “We all have times in our lives where we need help and we all have times where we can help and I think it's a reminder that when we can help, that we need to do that." 

Empty Bowls will be held at the Stratford Rotary Complex on Nov. 6.

For more information, send an email to volunteer@shob.org.