Three sisters, along with their mother, commuted 20 minutes into Stratford to donate their time to Stratford House of Blessing.
Taking part in the Empty Bowls fundraiser, recognized as the organization’s signature event, Mya Martin (15), Lidia Martin (17), and Katy Martin (13) donated their time to the international grassroots effort, which aims to raise both money and awareness in the fight to end hunger.
Food bank access has nearly doubled in 2022 compared to last year, so the teens put their artistic skills to a good cause.
Lidia Martin became familiar with the Empty Bowls fundraiser during an event at the Milverton library a couple of years ago. After a short pause throughout the pandemic, she returned to the House of Blessing for the in-person painting, hoping to paint a few bowls throughout the summer.
“It sounded like a cool way to make an impact on the community and use it to help other people,” she said.
The goal is to create and sell 900 hand-painted bowls. At $20 per bowl, the community raised $23,000 last year for Stratford House of Blessing.
The event depends on volunteers to prep bowls, set-up, and clean-up. Experienced painters are encouraged to join and guide new painters.
Creating a watermelon pattern by drawing inspiration from Pinterest, Mya Martin, who also paints as a hobby, hopes to return throughout the summer to paint more bowls.
“My sister decided to volunteer. It sounded like a lot of fun, so I decided to join her,” she said.
Katy Martin looks up to her older sisters as they carefully craft their work of art.
“It is a lot of fun, especially when there are people (so) I can ask questions. I am thinking of creating a coloured bowl with speckles on the inside."
Lisa Stanley, resource coordinator at the House of Blessing, said this year’s goal is $30,000. The organization has helped 60 “unhoused” individuals in May.
“This reminds people of the empty bowls we are trying to fill. We like to say it takes a village to feed the community, lets feed the bowls,” said Stanley.
The House of Blessing food bank has fed 302 children and 648 adults in May, according to Stanley.
Daily painting sessions are taking place Monday to Friday. Registration can be done online and is open to those 13 and above.
