On Sunday, February 15, The Mud Studio in Middlesex will host the second annual Central Vermont Empty Bowl Benefit, a fundraiser for the Vermont Foodbank. From 4:30 to 7 p.m., the pottery studio invites attendees to select a handcrafted ceramic bowl to fill with homemade soup to eat there or carry out, as well as a variety of locally sourced accompaniments.
"Our idea is that people coming to the event will take their soup bowls home and when they go to fill it, will remember that an empty bowl is a sad reality for many Vermonters who find it a constant challenge to put food on their tables," The Mud Studio owner Mike Sullivan said.
Last year's Empty Bowl Benefit raised $4,370 for the Vermont Foodbank, the state's largest hunger relief organization. "We are thrilled to again be the beneficiary of this event," Vermont Foodbank CEO John Sayles said. "Hunger affects everyone in Vermont in some way and events like this one give us the opportunity to make our community a better place." In 2014, the Foodbank provided 9 million pounds for food—1.2 million of which was fresh produce—to 153,000 Vermonters in need of help.
Central Vermont Empty Bowl Benefit is organized by The Mud Studio, which offers classes for all ages and provides gallery space for the work of local artists and craftspeople. Other businesses contributing to the event include Capitol Copy, Cold Hollow Cider Mill, Dog River Farm, Greenfield Highland Beef, Hunger Mountain Coop, Lazy Lady Farm, MiddleGround Florist, Misty Knoll Farms, North Branch Café, Pete's Greens, Red Hen Bakery, Sarducci's, The World, Willow Moon Farm and several area professional potters.
