Last year’s Empty Bowls event was held in November and raised $20,000 for area food pantries. PJ file photo

FREDONIA — For almost 20 years now, Fredonia has been a host of the “Empty Bowls” fundraiser, held by potters all across the nation.

This annual fundraising event brings potters all over Chautauqua County together and is sponsored by the Chautauqua Area Potters organization, who all personally make unique bowls that are available at the event.

“Empty Bowls is an international effort to address the needs of persons who are food challenged, or don’t have enough to eat.” said event coordinator Marvin Bjurlin. “This is a very successful combination of civic service and good times by potters who love to throw bowls.”

Bjurlin, who was a ceramics teacher at SUNY Fredonia, retired from that job 16 years ago. Just before his retirement is when the first Empty Bowls event started on a smaller scale on campus. From there, the event continued to grow, and after Bjurlin retired, he began opening up this event to not just his students, but local amateur and professional potters. As the years have gone on, the event has raised more and more money for the cause. Even during the pandemic, Bjurlin found a way to adapt the event so that it could safely be held despite the circumstances.

“We started out raising $5,000, then the next year it was $10,000, and then pre-pandemic we raised $31 or $32,000,” Bjurlin said. “The pandemic occurred and naturally couldn’t have the event in an indoor setting. So, we took a weather risk and secured the use of the east parking lot in downtown Fredonia and the people turned out. We still raised $20,000, which is remarkable.”

The Empty Bowls fundraiser occurs throughout the United States and internationally and is organized by small groups of potters, sometimes assisted by universities. All in all, millions of dollars are raised in order to help get food to those who need it.

Bjurlin himself has special connections to the creation of the Empty Bowls fundraiser. While he was a graduate assistant in Ann Arbor, Michigan, when John Hartom originally had the idea to have the community come together for an organized soup lunch with a charitable donation. From there, the idea took off.

“I had the pleasure of knowing the person who created this event,” Bjurlin said. “He was teaching high school when he started this. He started it as a way to have his students make bowls. He invited colleagues to have soup lunch in the cafeteria and make a small contribution for the bowl.”

When the fundraiser first began in Fredonia, one struggle they faced was actually distributing the money they received. While the potters enjoyed actually crafting the bowls, distributing the money was something that no one found interest in. Fortunately, they were able to find a partner. NCCF manages the funds, and the food bank of Western New York, now called FeedMore, is the direct beneficiary.

“All of this benefits the people of Chautauqua County specifically,” said Bjurlin. “We’ve established what is basically a grant fund that the 24 food pantries throughout Chautauqua County can apply to for auxiliary benefits. The potters don’t have to do any of that process and we’re grateful that there are organizations set up.”

Since his retirement, Bjurlin estimates that they’ve raised around $250,000 if you add up the proceeds over the 16 years. And what Bjurlin finds the most enriching of the entire process is just how much the sale of one bowl can benefit people.

“What charms me to no end is that when I am able to make a bowl and put a $20 sticker on it as a recommended donation, that $20, when managed by FeedMore, turns into $100 of food,” Bjurlin said. “I can turn 50-cents of clay into that. You figure that $100 is turned into 20 meals. It’s interesting to think that I can feed a family of four 20 times for one bowl. There’s a lot of satisfaction in that.”

The potters, mostly a group who gathers at Ron Nasca’s Mudslingers shop, work hard to craft their product, but instead of being imprinted with their own signature, instead they are imprinted with the “Empty Bowls” logo. Doing this reminds users that there are hungry people in the world.

Despite remaining anonymous, the potters still take great satisfaction in their work. This satisfaction is shared by all the potters involved, as greatest enjoyment they receive is merely being able to do their craft and rejoice in their own work and the work of others . Typically, selling crafted materials requires going to a gallery or art show but with this, the potters can share their creations while benefiting those in need.

“The other side of the deal is that the potters love firing the pots,” Bjurlin said. “For the potters to open the kiln and see what’s in there, it’s like Christmas. We get this satisfaction of seeing the finished product of what we worked on. And it’s a group so it’s eight or ten different people’s creations that everyone gets to see at the same time.”

Bjurlin, who is a vegetable gardener, have a special appreciation that they’re able to produce their own food, because they know so many people around the world don’t have that capability. This awareness only strengthens his resolve and motivation to make the Empty Bowl fundraiser as big as possible.

“Since I have the distinct luxury of growing my own food 8? Very aware that there are those that don’t,” Bjurlin said. “I want to do everything I can to help alleviate that.”

Given the populations of Dunkirk and Fredonia, the amount of money raised annually by the Empty Bowls fundraiser is significant to the region, and Bjurlin recognizes the amount of work it takes from countless parties to make it all come together.

“We’re a small venue and we’re extraordinarily successful,” Bjurlin said. “I want to sends thanks to so many individuals who contribute their time and skills and to the public who shows up.”

Because the conditions are still not conducive to people gathering inside, the fundraiser will once again be held in that parking lot in downtown Fredonia. Additionally, Bjurlin has respectfully asked that anyone who does stop by the fundraiser wear a mask.

The fundraiser be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The bowls come in sizes signed to acknowledge contributions of $10, $20, and $30. Questions regarding the Empty Bowls fundraiser can be directed to Bjurlin at 672-9151, or email bjurlin@mac.com. those interested may also contact Nasca at 672-6833.