Chrysalis Center’s Empty Bowls – virtual event Wednesday, March 24, 2021 - 7:00 PM (Snow date: March 25, 2021) Overview/Talking Points:
· Theme this year: “Come Together to End Hunger”
· “Empty Bowls” is an international project to fight hunger, personalized by artists and art organizations on a community level.
· Chrysalis Center supports this initiative by bringing awareness to the critical issue of hunger facing our neighbors throughout the state, particularly those living in the “Promise Zone”, the federally recognized neighborhoods in Greater Hartford where nearly 50% of the residents live at or below the poverty line.
· Chrysalis Center has experienced an increase in the need for fresh and nutritious food and event proceeds will benefit the organization’s “Food Hub”: programs which address the critical issue of food insecurity and lack of fresh and nutritious foods in the community through innovative and hands-on approaches.
· Chrysalis’ Food Hub includes: Freshplace food pantry, Urban Roots hydroponic grow center, Homestead Farmers’ Market, Railway Gardens, Food Forest and La Cocina Catering and Culinary Arts Training Kitchen.
· Event is virtual this year due to COVID. Guests receive a private zoom link to event.
· Honorary Event Chair is Renee DiNino, Director of Community Affairs and On Air Programming for iHeartMedia. A passionate advocate for those who are struggling, homeless and in need of support, Renee is a wonderful supporter and friend to the organization.
· Tickets $20 pp ($10 under 12 years old) and available online here: https://chrysaliscenterct.org/ events/ or call (860) 263-4418
· Each ticket includes a delicious bowl of soup, fresh-baked sourdough roll and brownie, all provided by La Cocina Catering, Chrysalis Center’s social enterprise program which trains individuals in the culinary arts field to help them secure a job and become economically independent.
· Four varieties of soup available: Corn Chowder, Chicken & Vegetables, Broccoli Cheddar or Butternut Squash (Vegan option)
· Each guest will also receive a beautiful, handcrafted bowl, created by a local artist, which serves as a reminder of the many empty bowls in our community and throughout the world.
· Soup and bowls can be picked up Wednesday, March 24 between noon and 6pm, at Chrysalis Center’s outdoor patio, located at 255 Homestead Avenue in Hartford, CT. To ensure everyone's safety, we will have pre-scheduled pick-up times, social distancing, and require masks at pick up.
· Donations gratefully accepted for those unable to participate via our website: https://chrysaliscenterct.org/give/make-a-gift/donate/ (select “Empty Bowls” under gift designation)
· Chrysalis Center is grateful to following artisans for donating bowls:
o Bramble Ceramics, Hartford
o Bristol Senior Center, Bristol
o Glazed Pottery Painting and Art Studio, Glastonbury
o Glazey Dayz, Watertown
o Gildersleeve Pottery Studio, Collinsville
o Pottery Piazza, Plainville
o Purring Potter, Colchester
o The Claypen, West Hartford
o Rockville High School Clayworks Class
o Summer Green Pottery, Bloomfield
o Vanguard Plastics, Southington
o Water Street Potters, Torrington
· Chrysalis Center is grateful to the following event sponsors for their generous support:
o Avon/Canton Rotary
o Elmwood Productions
o Price Chopper Gollub Foundation
· We are currently looking for additional companies and organizations to sponsor event. It’s a wonderful way to help provide access to healthy and nutritious food to individuals right here in our community! Call (860) 263-4418.