On Wednesday evening, May 8th at the Knights of Columbus Community Centre in Cobourg, the Help and Legal Centre of Northumberland will be holding its fourteenth annual Dinner and Auction, which raises awareness about the impact of poverty within the local community over a bowl of soup and conversations with friends.
Guests will enjoy a selection of appetizers, artisanal soups, and desserts from local chefs and will have the opportunity to bid on various auction items generously donated by local businesses.
“This event is a fantastic way to support local efforts to eliminate poverty,” says Beth Bellaire, the Chair of the Board:
The Empty Bowls Dinner and Auction has been one of our largest annual fundraisers. This year, we’ve added a new twist: As the Empty Bowls and Cozy Toes event, we are offering two options for guests as a memento of the event: either a beautiful pottery bowl as in previous years or else a pair of unique hand-knit socks. As we know, warm feet are a luxury for many people who are unhoused, so we thought it was an appropriate addition to our event.
We are so appreciative of the fantastic support from the Knights of Columbus who are donating their space and so much more. A special acknowledgement goes out to the Northumberland Labour Council who have always been there for us – this year, they are a Bronze Sponsor! SMM Law Professional Corporation is back as a Copper sponsor, and Kay & McCourt is our Wine Sponsor for the evening. Finally, Lester and Associates as well as Schmidt Law Legal Services are Stoneware Sponsors.
Of course we can’t thank Brenda Sullivan enough for her continued support of this signature event. Her studio, Dragon Clay Productions, with the help of several local potters – John & Carole Bandurchin, Cynthia Doyle, Monica Johnston, and Wendy Menary – is providing a unique bowl for our guests to take home as a memento of the night and a reminder that there are many who regularly go without in Northumberland. And as mentioned earlier, we also have many pairs of hand-knit socks that might brighten up your toes – thank you to Karin Wells and her band of knitters from Yarn It for this welcome addition.
It’s always an entertaining and heartwarming evening that helps us meet the growing demand for services to support those living in poverty in our community.
Tickets for the Empty Bowls and Cozy Toes Fundraising Dinner are available for $75 each (cash or cheque) at Holton Flowers in Port Hope or All Creatures Great and Small in Cobourg. For e-transfer purchase of tickets, phone The Help Centre Centre at 905-372- 2646.
To become a sponsor of this event or for more information, please contact Beth Bellaire at beth.a.bellaire@gmail.com
About the Help and Legal Centre of Northumberland
The Help and Legal Centre of Northumberland provides a range of programs to assist low-income individuals and families living in Northumberland County. Services offered include housing assistance, income-tax preparation, ESL and literacy programs, seniors support, workers’ rights education and legal services. For more information about the event or the Help and Legal Centre of Northumberland, visit www.thehelpandlegalcentre.ca
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
