Empty Bowls 2024

20th Annual YWCA Empty Bowls Raises Just Under $20,000 To Help Fight Hunger and Food Insecurity in Peterborough

Thanks to the support and generosity of our community, the 20th annual YWCA Empty Bowls event raised just under $20,000 in support of our Nourish Food Program.

With the funds raised this year, supporters of Empty Bowls have now helped raise over $210,000 for the YWCA over the event’s 20-year history.

Close to 200 guests attended Empty Bowls on Friday, February 23 at The Venue in downtown Peterborough and enjoyed a wide variety of delicious food options provided by 15 local restaurants. The handcrafted ceramic and wooden bowls created and donated by community artisans were a big hit with participants, many of whom purchased extra bowls to take home.

“This year, more than ever, I’m encouraged and humbled by the number of people who support Empty Bowls with their generosity. The time devoted to making this event a success holds true this year more than ever,” says YWCA Executive Director Kim Dolan. “20 years is a remarkable milestone, especially given the challenges in recent years. It is a testament to the dedication of our community members who fired up their kilns, sharpened their chisels, showed up, donated, sponsored, volunteered, and continued the legacy of Empty Bowls in Peterborough.”

All proceeds from Empty Bowls will support the Nourish Food Program operated by the YWCA, which provides fresh food at affordable costs to families experiencing hunger.

The Nourish program offers monthly food boxes, community gardening, and a weekly market at Curve Lake First Nation, bringing high quality produce from local farms to the community at affordable prices. Thanks to the support of the community, we distribute about 260 food boxes each month to individuals and families around the Peterborough area.

YWCA Peterborough Haliburton is grateful to our 2024 Empty Bowls sponsors, including our Presenting Sponsor, Cornerstone Family Dentistry; our Location Sponsor, The Venue; our Media Sponsor, KawarthaNOW; and our Bowl Partners, the Kawartha Potters Guild and Kawartha Woodturners Guild.

We also thank all the local restaurants who prepared and served a wonderful array of dishes representing Peterborough’s food scene, including Ashburnham Ale House, the Black Horse Pub, By The Bridge, Fresh Dreams, Hanoi House, Hard Winter Bakery, La Hacienda, La Mesita, NAKA Japanese, Naked Chocolate, Revelstoke, Sam’s Place, St Veronus, The Pin, and The Venue.