Community Food Share Lead Jane Schoones took a moment from helping in the kitchen to talk about and explain some of the many initiatives that Community Food Share takes part in. Tinkess Photo

WILLIAMSBURG – The annual Empty Bowls fundraiser, held on Feb. 8, 2025, brought more than 100 ever-generous members of the community together once again in support of Community Food Share (CFS). Guests enjoyed a heartwarming meal of locally made soups, bid on silent auction items, and took home beautiful, handcrafted pottery,  while helping to fight food insecurity in Dundas County  and North Stormont.

“This event is a true testament to the generosity and compassion of our community,” said Jane Schoones, Team Leader of Community Food Share. “Year after year, our donors, guests, and volunteers come together to make Empty Bowls a success, ensuring we can continue providing food to those who need it most. We are deeply grateful for their support.”

Community Food Share extends its heartfelt thanks to our food donors, whose generosity made this event possible:

  • Bitty Birds Bakery – Gluten Free
  • Foodland Winchester
  • Huckle Hounds Home Baked Goodies
  • Iron Forge
  • Lactalis
  • Laura’s Independent
  • Lightning St. Italian Gourmet
  • No Go Coffee
  • McIntosh Inn [Orchard Restaurant]
  • Simply Baked

A huge thank you also goes to our silent auction donors, whose contributions helped raise additional funds for our food bank services:

  • Countryside Adventures
  • Finch Restaurant
  • Gay Lea
  • Main Street Clothing
  • Paintings to Order
  • Smirlholm Farms Honey
  • Stone Crop Acres
  • Treats and Treasures
  • Upper Canada Playhouse
  • North Dundas Building Supplies Inc.

The stunning pottery bowls featured at the event were handcrafted by local potters, whose creativity and generosity are at the heart of this fundraiser:

  • Christina Strapper – CMS Pottery
  • Debbie Gilmer – Gilmer Clayworks
  • Diane Sullivan – Arabesque Pottery
  • Heidi Blokland – Fishland Muddler
  • Monique O’Brien – Sunshine Pottery
  • Vanda Stanley – Honeyfield Studio

The event was enriched by live music from Claude Plamondon, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for all who attended.

Special thanks to the Williamsburg Christian Reformed Church for generously providing the event space, and to our dedicated MC, Jim Millard, for his continued support.  Most importantly, we thank our volunteers—the backbone of this event—who work tirelessly each year to ensure its success.

Empty Bowls is more than just a fundraiser; it’s a community-driven effort to combat food insecurity and support our neighbours in need. With every bowl purchased and every donation made, we are making a difference together.

For more information on how to support Community Food Share, visit communityfoodshare.ca.