Empty Bowls Fall Community event a huge success with biggest turnout to date, raising almost $10,000

Nov 21, 2023 09:35AM ● By Content Editor

Photo by Laura Durenberger-Grunow. Empty Bowls 2023 Fall Community Fundraiser Event. All photos by Alex Dobbins unless otherwise noted.

By Alex Dobbins and Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - November 21, 2023

Thursday, November 16, 2023, was Empty Bowls’ annual Fall Community Fundraiser to help combat hunger in Cook County - with a focus on the word 'community'. This year the event was held at the newly renovated Up Yonder in Grand Marais and brought in the organization's biggest turnout to date with an estimated 350 people. This number is especially impressive considering the event was only open from 11 am - 1 pm and 5 pm - 7 pm!

In a Facebook post dated November 19, the Empty Bowls organization posted an impressive list of thank-yous to organizations and individuals who helped make the event a success (see full post below). Individuals and organizations donated everything from equipment to the soups themselves leading up to the event. On the day of, the volunteer staff of over 45 people did an amazing job taking care of the crowd and keeping soups fresh, hot, and filled.

There was a wide variety of soups, from multiple chilis and stews to chowders and even classic chicken noodle soup. For kids, macaroni and cheese was offered for the first time this year and according to some Empty Bowls board members, was a huge hit. Another first was the option to purchase to-go quarts throughout the day, versus at the end of the event in years past. The take-out option was so popular, that one Empty Bowls board member had to run and get more containers from a local store. Dietary restrictions were also taken into consideration with having gluten-free and vegan options for bread, soup, and even desserts.

The bake sale was packed with a large variety of treats for those with a sweet tooth, with the option to enjoy the goodies at the event or take them home.

Overall, according to Empty Bowls board member Beth Kennedy, the event raised $9600 from soup sales ($4209), bowl sales ($4000), and the bake sale ($1400). This was an increase from the 2022 Fall Community event which raised $5000. Kennedy shared that this total is only the amount from actual sales on the day of the event, and does not include donations made at the event or checks sent in the mail.

Empty Bowls is a nonprofit that has a goal to raise $30,000 each year. The fundraiser earnings are divided into multiple organizations throughout the community. In 2022, the organization donated to 27 different non-profits in Cook County that are working to address food insecurity in the area.

Donations are still being accepted through the end of the year. You can donate through the Empty Bowls website, or mail a check to: Empty Bowls, PO Box 294, Grand Marais, MN 55604.

The Empty Bowls November 19 Facebook post

Special Thanks goes to these friends committed to ending food insecurity:

-Up Yonder: A new and exciting venue! Thanks Cassidy Gecas and Britt Zieroth

-Grand Marais Art Colony: Community work creating beautiful bowls AND art bowls created by local ceramic artists

-Thanks Brett Monahan

-Publicity: Maggie Barnard

-Soup: Coho Cafe, Lutsen Resort, Cascade Restaurant, Gunflint Lodge, Grand Portage Lodge, Grand Portage Elder Nutrition Program, Bad Seed Food Truck, Voyageur Brewing, Birch Terrace, My Sister’s Place, Cook County Whole Foods Co-op, Gunflint Tavern, Double D’s Catering, Crooked Spoon, Fisherman's Daughter, Hungry Hippie Tacos, The Hub, Upper Lakes Foods, North House Folk School

-Bread Sponsors: Johnson’s Foods, Gene‘s IGA, Chio’s Gluten Free Treats, Java Moose, North House Folk School, and Upper Lakes Foods

-Bakery Treats: Superior Cookie Company, Crosby Bakery, Beth’s Fudge, Milan Schmidt, Carol Morgen, Terri Poe, Rebecca Barret (Wilder Wood Shop) Tracy Benson, Jodi Overman, Grace Bushard, Mark Morgen, Julie Bittinger, WEGC, Kris Hedstrom, Polly Erickson, Mary Maurice, Katie Krantz, Laura Durenberger, Judy Briskey, Mary Igoe, Judi Barsness

-Roasters, Coffee Pots & More: North House Folk School, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, St. John’s Catholic Church, ODDZ and ENDZ

-Volunteers: 45+ people volunteered, with special thanks to the Cook County High School National Honor Society!

-Special thanks to Tim Kennedy, Orvis Lunke and Tom Christensen and our kitchen managers Hans Tofte, Mary Maurice, Anna Kneen, Dan Cahill, and Lily Nelson-Pedersen

-And the core team: Beth Kennedy, Judi Barsness, Donna Lunke , Bobbie Collins and Pat Campanaro.

We also thank everyone who enjoyed the good weather, good soup and the joy of community at Empty Bowls 2023.

Anna Kneen and Lexi Surbaugh serving Chicken Noodle Soup from My Sister's Place and Gunflint Taverns Vegan Chili for the Empty Bowls fundraiser.

Volunteers Grace Blomberg, Knut Remmen, and Kayla Knapper serving Beef Barley from Grand Portage and New England Fish Chowder from Crooked Spoon for the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser.

Bowls were generally sold between $15- $20 with proceeds going to fight food insecurity in Cook County. Photo by Laura Durenberger-Grunow.

Up Yonder's dining area was filled with community members enjoying locally made soups, bread, and treats with their friends and family.

Community members enjoying locally made soup to help reach an annual goal of $30,000.

Volunteers serving Chili from Voyager and the Loaded Baked Potato soup from Hungry Hippie Tacos.

Double D's Chicken and Sausage Gumbo with Wild Rice.

New England Style Fish Chowder from The Crooked Spoon. Roasting pans were loaned out by many local churches.

My Sister's Place Chicken Noodle soup.

Volunteer Terri Nelson with the dinner soup menu and names of the donors for Empty Bowls.

Community members enjoy their delicious soups.

The bake sale offered a wide variety of treats and raised $1400 during the event. Photo by Laura Durenberger-Grunow.

Bread was donated by local stores and restaurants, and included dietary-friendly options as well. Photo by Laura Durenberger-Grunow

Locally made cutting boards from The Wilder Woodshop with homemade bread were available for purchase as part of the bake sale. Photo by Laura Durenberger-Grunow