Kingfield Turns Out For Ending Hunger
Kingfield residents and businesses turn out to raise money for Nicollet Square.
Delicious smells wafted through the lobby of Nicollet Square on Thursday night as over 200 Twin Cities residents poured in to share soup and fellowship at the Kingfield Neighborhood Association's first-ever Empty Bowls event.
The event, like its better-known counterparts in Powderhorn Park and elsewhere around the country, was organized around a simple idea: each household donates $20 in exchange for a bowl handmade by a local artist, which they can take home after receiving a meal of hearty soup. Donations went to support Nicollet Square, a home for homeless young adults.
"It's a wonderful thing," said potter Michael Zionko, who donated 64 bowls to the event. "It makes the connection between homelessness and hunger, and people take a reminder of the issues home."
Tammy Ortegon, whose ColorWheel Gallery served as the collection point for artists' bowl donations, said 293 bowls were donated, including many from students at Washburn High School.
Local restaurants came out to support the event, too.
"I told them 'I'm sorry if we take business away from you on a Thursday night, but I'll be glad if we do,'" said Sarah Linnes-Robinson, the KFNA's Executive Director. "But they really stepped forward to support us."
Anodyne Coffeehouse donated desserts and coffee carafes, the Lowbrow and Patisserie 46 donated desserts, Kings Wine Bar, Sun Street Breads, Grand Cafe and Butter Bakery together donated 76 loaves of bread, Victor's 1959 Cafe donated rice, Litin Eco donated biodegradable silverware and cups, and Contempl8 T-Shirts gave the KFNA a reduced rate for printing volunteer t-shirts.
Soups were prepared by Chef Jeff, a catering company that operates out of Stevens Square's Plymouth Congregational Church. The company helps train MCTC students for work in the culinary industry.
In This article
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Colorwheel Gallery
319 W 46th St, Minneapolis, MN -
Anodyne Coffeehouse
4301 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN -
The Lowbrow
4244 Nicollet Ave S, Minneapolis, MN -
Patisserie 46
4552 Grand Ave S, Minneapolis, MN -
Kings Restaurant
4555 Grand Ave S, Minneapolis, MN
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Sun Street Breads
4600 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN -
Grand Cafe
3804 Grand Ave S, Minneapolis, MN -
Butter Bakery Cafe
3700 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN -
Victor's 1959 Cafe
3756 Grand Ave S, Minneapolis, MN -
Washburn High School
201 W 49th St, Minneapolis, MN
Stacie Hunt Vickerman
9:27 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012
What a great event...Our family would attend many more such events. We took our 11 & 14 year old daughters to this event and it was wonderful. They weren't sure what we were getting them into, but once there they recognized faces of volunteers and classmates from Washburn. The soup was tasty and the pottery bowls have already gained purpose in our home...one of which will be a daily reminder that there are homeless people nearby. What a great step towards ending homelessness in Minneapolis. Thanks to all who coordinated this effort!