Robert Hudler auctions off ceramic hand-made bowls honoring the late Susan Steelman. Steelman was a dedicated volunteer on the Yadkin Christian Ministries staff before her passing this year. A total of $4,155 was raised from auction items.
Sheriff Ricky Oliver serves Empty Bowls attendees a dessert. Several community leaders and local business leaders served as “celebrity servers” during the event, handing out drinks, desserts and refills on soups.
A volunteer serves an attendee chicken stew. Each ticket holder was allowed to choose a ceramic bowl to take home and were served a bowl of soup or stew, a salad, drink and dessert. $21,595 was raised for the event through ticket sales, cake sales and sponsor money.
WXII News Channel 12 Anchor Cameron Kent was the master of ceremonies for the event. Kent presented the guest speakers and performers during the event and took time to interact with the crowd in between introductions.
Empty Bowls saw record numbers that will result in more assistance to Yadkin County residents in need.
Yadkin Christian Ministries held its Second Annual Empty Bowls event on Oct. 30. An estimated 700 people attended the event.
Each ticket holder was allowed to choose a unique ceramic bowl to take home and was treated to chicken stew or vegetable or beef soup. Entertainment was provided by Starmount’s Ram Singers, and WXII News Channel 12 Anchor Cameron Kent was on hand to lead the event and interact with attendees.
The event raised $25,750 for Yadkin Christian Ministries and an additional $840 is on its way from the sale of additional specially made bowls that honored the late Susan Steelman, a dedicated Yadkin Christian Ministries volunteer. That will equal out to a total of $26,590 to go towards the needy in Yadkin County.
“We’ve been spending $10,000 a month more than we’ve been taking in,” said Richard Eskew, Director of Yadkin Christian Ministries. “These monies will help us get through the winter. A lot of people are having a lot of difficulty out there.”
OF the $25,750 raised at the event, $4,155 came from auction items. Prints, ceramic bowls and services were up for bid while event attendees enjoyed their meal. U.S. House Representative Virginia Foxx donated a private tour of the capitol led by her to the highest bidder. The top bidder won for $1,100 and Foxx offered the same tour to the second highest bidder if they would donate the $1,000 they bid to the ministries.
The remaining $21,595 was raised through ticket sales, cake sales and sponsor money. This is the second year for the event and this year tops last year by $3,590. Eskew says that it couldn’t come at a better time for the organization.
“We have had to buy food every week,” Eskew said. “We’ve been spending $600 a week on top of what we have available in donated foods.”
The next fundraising event for Yadkin Christian Ministries will be Lowe’s Foods Friends Feeding Friends event. Eskew said this is the organization’s largest food drive each year. All of the Yadkin County Schools participate asking students, staff and parents to bring in non-perishable items through Dec. 31.
Donations made to West Yadkin Elementary, Courtney Elementary, Yadkinville Elementary, Boonville Elementary, Forbush Elementary, Forbush Middle and Forbush High Schools will go towards filling the shelves of Yadkin Christian Ministries in Yadkinville.
Donations made to Fall Creek Elementary and East Bend Elementary Schools will go to Yadkin Christian Ministries’ East Bend satellite office.
Donations made to Jonesville Elementary, Starmount Middle and Starmount High Schools will go towards the shelves of Tri-County Christian Crisis Ministry in Jonesville.
Several community members took part as volunteers and “celebrity servers.” Many local business owners and managers were on hand to serve the crowd throughout the day. The Starmount High School baseball coach and team and Forbush High School basketball coach and team were among those that volunteered.
Those who are interested in making a donation to Yadkin Christian Ministries may do so by calling 677-3080 or by visiting www.y-c-m.org.
Reach Lindsay Craven at 679-2341 or at lcraven@heartlandpublications.com.
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