As the pandemic recedes and many events with long histories return to in-person activities, the Glory Hall’s annual fundraiser is no exception.
The Empty Bowls fundraiser, which helps fund the shelter’s operations and food costs, will return, albeit not yet at Centennial Hall.
“It’s an odd year because when they were planning it back in the fall, they really weren’t sure what was going to be happening with COVID or not happening with COVID. It’s going to take a very cautious approach,” said Glory Hall executive director Mariya Lovishchuk in a phone interview. “We’re going to do it outside of our new facility. The bread, soup and cookies will be to-go.”
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The bowls, which are contributed by local artists, are available for selection by ticket-buyers at the event itself, which will be held from 2-4:30 p.m on Sunday, Lovishchuk said. Some of the artists who donate the bowls have been involved for ten years or more, Lovishchuk said.
“We do have a lot of beautiful bowls. We have wooden bowls and ceramic bowls. I’m really excited. They look beautiful,” Lovishchuk said. “We had many local artists who contribute.”
Attendees will receive two containers of soup, as well as bread and desert donated by Breeze In, Lovishchuk said.
“Normally the soups are donated by local restaurants, but this year, because everyone in the industry has been hit so hard by the pandemic, we’re making our own. It’ll be coconut-vegetable, which will be delicious, or seafood chowder,” Lovishchuk said. “We’re going to cook the soup on Saturday. Breeze In is donating delicious cookies and awesome rolls.”
The soup will be made on-site, Lovishchuk said, in the Glory Hall’s own kitchens, which are more than up to the task. Eyes are on the future for when the fundraiser returns in all its majesty to Centennial Hall next year, Lovishchuk said.
“The new kitchen is really awesome. But we’re thinking about how awesome the full Empty Bowls really is. We’re excited for all the groups to come together next year,” Lovishchuk said. “We’re really trying to remind people that this happens and get them excited for next year. We’re going to have the awesome auction and the awesome live music. We just want people to come, be excited, and show up in force next year.”
Guests to the event will also be able to see the shelter’s new garden, which will be used by staff and patrons to grow vegetables and other plants, Lovishchuk said.
“It’ll be outside of our new facility so people can see it,” Lovishchuk said. “We’ve been really working hard on our new garden.”
Know and go
What: Empty Bowls, fundraiser for the Glory Hall
When: 2-4:30 p.m., April 24, 2022
Cost: $45 for adult tickets (meal and bowl), $20 for child ticket (meal without bowl). Tickets must be bought in advance at feedjuneau.org
Where: 8715 Teal St.
