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On behalf of the Pine Tree Potters’ Guild, I would like to express our gratitude to everyone who participated in our 12th Annual Empty Bowls event that took place on Nov 18 to 20 at The Old Town Hall in Newmarket.
Again, 2021 presented its share of challenges we had to creatively work around. In non-pandemic times, we typically gather for a meal but when planning the event early in 2021, we could not predict how the pandemic may impact us come the fall. We were determined to continue our Empty Bowls tradition in support of our recipient charities who work to relieve hunger and homelessness in our community; they need our financial help now more than ever.
In 2020, we were grateful to hold our event outside under a tent in the Trinity Anglican Church parking lot, but this year we were very happy to be able to hold our event inside the Old Town Hall in Newmarket over three days that coincided with Pine Tree Potters’ Guild Fall Sale.
Pine Tree Potters’ members worked very hard all year to create hundreds of beautiful bowls and when patrons arrived at the Old Town Hall, our bowl room did not disappoint. This year we raised $18,700.00, which was donated to Welcoming Arms, Aurora, and Inn From the Cold, Newmarket.
Since our first event in 2010, Pine Tree Potters' Guild is happy to report we have raised over $190,000.00 for local charities and we look forward to continuing in this tradition again next year.
We wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to Meridian Credit Union for a very generous grant and support in selling tickets ahead of the event. Thank you as well to our sponsors: Tucker’s Pottery Supplies for donating the clay used by our potters for crafting the bowls; David Schembri Design, Alyson Murray Designs, and Allegra Print Aurora for donating our printed materials. Finally, we are so grateful for all our dedicated volunteers who donated their time and skills to ensure that everything ran smoothly.
In addition to raising funds for our two recipient charities, we also wanted to help support our local culinary establishments who are working hard to keep their businesses running during the pandemic. We reached out to restaurants that have so generously supported Empty Bowls over the years, as well as some new ones in the Newmarket area and invited them to participate in a “coupon book initiative.”
Patrons who pre-purchased tickets to our Empty Bowls event received a beautiful hand-crafted bowl and a coupon booklet from this year’s participating restaurants. It is our hope that these coupons will be used by the community and that it inspires many return trips and ongoing support for these business in the years to come.
The following is a list of the culinary establishments that participated in our 2021 coupon initiative: Aqua Grill, Aurora; Bangkok Thai Cuisine; Bijoy’s Restaurant; Cachet Supper Club; Catharina’s Kitchen; Chip+Malt, Newmarket; COBS Bread, Aurora Gateway; Dorio’s Kettleby Italian Bakery; Goulash House, Newmarket; La Brehandaise Market; Made in Mexico, Newmarket; Maunder’s Food Shop; Olde Village Free House; Piazza Italian Eatery; Ristorante Orsini; Rockfords Bar and Grill; State and Main Kitchen and Bar, Aurora; Sushi Japanese Restaurant, Newmarket; and Vintage Spice.
Again, many thanks to everyone who continues to support our Empty Bowls event, we are very much looking forward to the opportunities 2022 will bring us!
Lisa-Marie Oliphant Chair, 2021 Empty Bowls Committee, Pine Tree Potters’ Guild
