Unity College and the Unity Barn Raisers Community Meal Program will host the 17th Annual Empty Bowls fundraiser at the Unity College Centre for the Performing Arts in Unity on Thursday, December 1, from 5-7 p.m.
The fundraiser will benefit the Volunteer Regional Food Pantry (VRFP) regional monthly food distribution program, which serves families across Western Waldo County and the Unity Barn Raisers Veggies for All project.
“In tough economic times we have seen area food pantries struggling to meet the client needs,” said Jennifer Olin, Community-Based Learning Coordinator at Unity College. “The food pantry in Unity is working hard to serve more households from a widening geographic area.”
“In addition to providing local monthly food stores, the VRFP provides educational programming for its client base, including food preparation and preservation workshops,” noted Olin. “They also provide nutritional information about fresh produce, and gardening support and instructions.” Veggies for All is a project of the Unity Barn Raisers whose mission is to grow and distribute fresh local produce to food insecure households. Vegetables are distributed through a partnership with the VRFP and Unity College. To date the project has grown and distributed over 20 tons of fresh produce since 2008.
The event is made possible through donations of pottery crafted by Unity College students and area potters. Local produce donated from area farmers and turkeys donated by Unitel provide ingredients for the soup that will be served. Crosstrax Deli, a much loved locavore hub, will provide loaves of freshly baked bread. The suggested donation is $10 per diner.
The Unity College Centre for the Performing Arts is located at 42 Depot Street (off Route 202) in Unity, Maine.
Unity College is a small private college in rural Maine that provides dedicated, engaged students with a liberal arts education which emphasizes the environment and natural resources. Unity College graduates are prepared to be environmental stewards, effective leaders, and responsible citizens through active learning experiences within a supportive community.
In 2011, Unity College was named to the top 30 of the Washington Monthly college rankings, and was one of eighteen U.S. colleges and universities named to The Princeton Review’s 2010 Green Rating Honor Roll.
