It is a pleasure to live in a town such as Poulsbo, with generous community members. Although each of us has been dealing with the economic downturn in our own way, the spirit of sharing and caring lives in the souls of Poulsbo residents.

It is through the generosity of residents and businesses that the Fishline Food Bank successfully held its first annual fundraiser “Empty Bowls” on Jan 28. The concept of Empty Bowls was simple: The public was invited to the fundraiser to choose a hand-painted bowl, have it filled with warm soup for a $15 donation, and then take the bowl home as a reminder that for many, bowls are often empty.

It takes a dedicated community to put this event together. I would like to thank several of our sponsors.

Susan Butler, owner of Indy Studio, took on the project as the bowl painting studio for us all to paint at for nearly six months. She provided her space, time and expertise for all painters and donated many of her signature pieces.

Local artists from the Verksted Gallery are long-time supporters of the Food Bank and once again they provided the most beautiful works of art imaginable for us to auction.

The ceramics class at NKHS actually made bowls, then painted them!

Central Market did an amazing job in providing four outstanding soups for us to serve.

Paige Remington of Remington Designs designed our eye catching posters that Blue Sky Printing so generously printed for us. Our acoustical group, Time & Tide, (Simon and Becky Fitch and Ann Lovejoy), was the perfect music for our lunch. Thank you to all!

Additionally, a big “thank you” goes to Poulsbo residents. Thank you to each of you that came in and painted bowls for the event and to those that came in for the benefit. Thanks to everyone, “Empty Bowl” will be back next year !

Caroline Perisho

Fishline Board of Directors Fundraising chair