Empty Bowl raises funds for Comfort food pantry

Comfort Empty Bowls staged its sixth annual event at Comfort’s Public Library Sept. 21, held in conjunction with the Comfort Art Festival.

Organized by Susan Die and Brian Burckhardt of Hill Country Pottery, Comfort Empty Bowls invited the public to purchase a ticket, select an art bowl crafted by local artists and enjoy a cup of gelato provided by Skyline Gelato.

All proceeds go to support the Comfort Table and Food Pantry, a nonprofit founded in 1990 that helps local Hill Country residents facing hunger and food management issues.

This event yielded 125 bowls and ticket holders, a little short of last year’s 200 participants.

“We lost a few artists that donate this year.” Burckhardt said. Still, he said, the event was enjoyed by all participants.

In lieu of the traditional soup donation for such an event as is customary, Burckhardt and Die wanted to do things differently. Skyline Gelato, a local shop in Comfort, provided their delectable treats instead — and with temperatures reaching into the high 90s, it seemed a better option than soup.

Prior to the Empty Bowl event, the organization started as a fundraiser, offering a piece of art to all those who donated.

The event operates in a similar fashion. The bowls are gifted to each ticket holder to take home. Each bowl is uniquely crafted in size, style and color scheme by the donating artist.

Ticket holders pay $25 and select their bowl, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Many buyers will spend $100 or $150 in order to receive a matching set produced by a favorite artist.

Bowls are not the only items, either. Linze Pattison, a first-time contributing artist, generously crafted — in addition to bowls — cups and mugs.

With the proceeds from the event and regular donations, Comfort Table and Food Pantry opens their trailer doors at Immanuel Lutheran Church’s parking lot from 5-6:30 p.m. every Wednesday. Additionally, the food pantry opens 3-5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

For artists wanting to be involved in the next Empty Bowl event, contact Susan Die and Brian Burckhardt.