Thank you: ‘Empty Bowls’ success

It is no secret that Bluffton is a prosperous community. That said, there are still many of our neighbors who often don’t have enough to eat. There are many excellent local organizations working hard to alleviate this shortcoming. We at Preston Pottery, in an ongoing effort to contribute, put on an Empty Bowls fundraiser, usually the opening Sunday of the Arts and Seafood Festival.

Each year, we choose three food charities as beneficiaries. This year, they were: Meals on Wheels; Second Helpings; and the Bluffton Community Kitchen.

The idea is that local potters, both professional and student, contribute bowls, while restaurants, caterers, and talented foodies contribute excellent soups.

The recent hurricane postponed the event until Friday after Thanksgiving, which was a marketing gamble that paid off wonderfully. Bluffton takes care of its own.

Excellent soup was provided by: Leslie Rohland, owner of the Cottage and also a potter, who gave wonderful Southwestern Chicken Soup. The inimitable Geist Ussery provided an excellent Creamy Turkey Sausage Soup. Laurie Clare contributed a lovely and seasonal Pumpkin Soup, while Preston Pottery resident teacher, Tim Holsinger, made his famous Vegetarian Soup.

Many thanks to our contributing potters: Leslie Rohland; Tim Holsinger; Manuel Lopez; Brynne Bowler; Ona Loper; Diego Garcia; Lynne Walker; Scott Kinsey; Karen Cerrati; Ann Graham; Jane Stouffer; Travis White; Alex Gilford; Janet Cass; Coleen Asmuth; Judy Thompson; Jake Minasi; Leslie Rohland; Rett Colleran; Nathan Calhoun; and Debbie Clishan; as well as Pam Anderson of MoonRiver Pottery.

Also, big thanks to Annette Taylor, Ona Loper, Manuel Lopez, Karen Cerrati, and Diego Garcia, for helping with sales and serving.

Thank you, Bluffton, for your generosity.

This story was originally published December 6, 2016 at 9:12 AM with the headline "Thank you: ‘Empty Bowls’ success."