Empty Bowls a reminder of hunger

Those who attended Friday night's Family Access Network (FAN) fund-raiser went home with empty bowls to remind them that every night people everywhere go to sleep with empty tummies.

More than 150 supporters gathered in the Sisters High School commons to break bread, share good conversation and fill the coffers of FAN's Emergency Access fund.

FAN advocate Shawna Bell explained the event's "Empty Bowls" theme.

"The idea is eating soup out of your bowls and then the kids will wash them for you and bring them back so you can take them home empty to represent the people who are going hungry," she said.

According to Bell, depending upon the bids received at the silent auction, the event traditionally raises between $1,500 and $3,000. As of this writing the exact amount raised had not been announced, but if the enthusiasm of all those in attendance is any indication proceeds should prove most

satisfactory.

Auction items included a print by Dan Rickards, silver jewelry, a bird feeder, bookends, pottery bowls and gift certificates.

FAN advocate Dawn Cooper, with the cooperation of three students from Sally Taylor-Pillar's leadership class, junior Erin Kanzig, senior Sarah Boles and

freshman Emi Conrads, chaired this year's event.

"The leadership class gets very involved. They secure all of the items for the silent auction by going around town and talking to local artists. They also inquire within the high school with the kids who do art class here to see if there is anything they would like to make and donate," Cooper said.

Through the planning stages and during the event itself, Cooper handed the reins to the leadership students, checking only to make certain there was follow-through on everything that needed to be done.

The high school's culinary arts instructor Janice Comfort planned and prepared a supper consisting of two hearty soups, one chicken noodle and the other a vegetarian pasta, that were served with bread. Homemade chocolate chip cookies rounded out the fare.

Bronco Billy's Ranch Grill & Saloon provided tablecloths. Student volunteers helped with all aspects of preparation and clean-up, and Americana Project students under the direction of Gary Bowne provided entertainment. Mike Baynes' art students made the creative ceramic bowls.

Bell provided an overview of the services Sisters FAN has provided to residents over the past 12 months, helping 352 clients.

"Those are folks that live in Sisters. We count them only once, so even if they come back for multiple times they only get counted once," Bell said.

FAN has helped 160 clients receive access to food by connecting them with food stamps and local sources such as the Kiwanis Food Bank. FAN also has given out a considerable amount of food directly from stores in its office.

One hundred and sixty Sisters residents have been helped with access to affordable housing, and 181 folks were helped with utilities. Some 238 people, including many children, have received clothing. FAN has connected Sisters children to the

Assistance League of Bend's program Operation School Bell that provides full sets of clothing to school children, and FAN has directly provided 97 students in Sisters schools with full sets of school supplies.

FAN has also helped 26 people with prescriptions and medical assistance, 25 with dental care and 10 with vision care and glasses. FAN's Emergency Access fund, the earmarked recipient of all funds raised at Friday night's event, has helped 152 clients.

"I can't tell you how amazed I am with the generosity of this community," Cooper said.

FAN is a Deschutes County non-profit organization with the mission of improving lives by ensuring that all of the county's children have access to basic-need services. For more information visit http://www.familyaccessnetwork.org. FAN offices in Sisters are located in the school district's administration building at 525 E. Cascade Ave.