Empty Bowls Fundraiser Raises more than $10,700 for Bruce Peninsula Food Bank

WIARTON, Ont. — For some people, an empty bowl is part of an evening out. For others, it can be a sign that there is not enough food on the table.

That contrast was at the heart of the third annual Empty Bowls Peninsula fundraiser, which filled The Salvation Army Wiarton Community Church on Sept. 21 and raised more than $10,700 for the Bruce Peninsula Community Food Bank.

The sold-out event brought together local restaurants, potters, businesses, volunteers and guests for an evening of soup, handcrafted pottery and conversation, with every dollar raised helping provide food assistance to people across the Bruce Peninsula.

“This year’s Empty Bowls Peninsula was truly something special,” said Major Mark Crabb, corps officer at The Salvation Army Wiarton Community Church. “To see the room filled with people who came out to enjoy a wonderful evening while supporting neighbours in their community was incredibly encouraging.”

The fundraiser featured soups prepared by five local restaurants, giving guests the chance to sample each dish before voting for their favourite.

The Dunes Restaurant and Bar in Sauble Beach took home the People’s Choice Award for Best Soup with its late-summer roasted tomato and fennel soup, served with sourdough and Gruyere grilled cheese.

Guests could also choose from handcrafted bowls donated by more than seven local potters, giving the evening a personal connection to the cause it was supporting.

The money raised will go to the Bruce Peninsula Community Food Bank, which is managed by The Salvation Army Wiarton. The food bank provides food hampers, emergency assistance and delivery services to people throughout the peninsula, serving an average of 116 households, or 221 individuals, each month.

For organizers, the fundraiser’s impact extends beyond the money collected at the door.

“So many people gave their time, talents, resources and creativity to make the evening possible,” said Major Wendy Crabb, corps officer at The Salvation Army Wiarton Community Church. “The Salvation Army is incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make this year’s event such a tremendous success.”

Local businesses provided financial support, while restaurants, bakeries, potters and volunteers donated their time and resources to bring the fundraiser together.

Roni Delleman, community and family services manager at The Salvation Army Wiarton Community Church and a member of the Empty Bowls Peninsula committee, said the response demonstrates what can happen when people come together around a shared need.

“More than $10,700 will now go toward helping people access food when they need it,” Delleman said. “That is something this entire community can be proud of.”

The need for food assistance continues throughout the year. The Bruce Peninsula Community Food Bank is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m. at The Salvation Army Wiarton Community Church.

Organizers are already planning the fourth annual Empty Bowls Peninsula, which will take place Sept. 20, 2027, the Monday following the Wiarton Fall Fair.

To learn how you can support, visit salvationarmy.ca, call 1-800-SAL-Army (725-2769), or connect with the Salvation Army Wiarton Community Church at salvationarmywiarton.ca. To donate, please click here.

By Claudia Nosseir