FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jessica Sund
Director of Development and Communications
Phone: 507.424.1729
Email: [email protected]
Rochester, MN – April 19th, 2021 Channel One has partnered with Jessica’s Paint Your Own Pottery (PYOP) to continue providing hand-painted bowls as part of its’ signature Empty Bowls fundraiser.
Amidst the pandemic, artist Jessica Taylor opened her paint-your-own pottery studio under a unique, COVID-safe model. By offering to-go art kits, she enabled customers to paint pottery on their own time, in the comfort of their own home.
Channel One staff, along with Jessica’s PYOP, are reaching out to the local community in an effort to continue the tradition of providing Empty Bowls event participants with a hand-painted bowl – which acts as a reminder of those facing food insecurity and of those who may not know where their next meal is coming from.
With the closing of Color Me Mine in 2020 due to the pandemic, Channel One lost its biggest partner in providing bowls for its annual event – an event which provided more than 800 bowls for participants, raised more than $68,000 and provided over 272,000 meals to those facing food insecurity in Southeast Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. Jessica’s Paint Your Own Pottery is stepping up to the plate and helping to fill the gap that Color Me Mine left behind.
This is the 17th anniversary of Empty Bowls and it remains a crucial part of Channel One’s work to increase food security for our friends and neighbors. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the past year has introduced many obstacles in ensuring that people in our region do not go hungry. Pre-pandemic, 1 in 11 Minnesotans were considered food insecure or lacking consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life; that number is now 1 in 8. Through Empty Bowls, Channel One is continuing to raise awareness of hunger and the programs in place addressing hunger in our region.
Channel One and Jessica’s Paint Your Own Pottery can’t do this alone – they’re looking for painters of all skill levels to join in on the fun and paint bowls for this great cause!
Those interested in painting a bowl for this years’ event are encouraged to visit jessicaspyop.com/channel-one to purchase a bowl. Jessica can also be reached at [email protected] or 507-405-0557 with any questions.
Artists that create ceramic or wood-turned bowls and are interested in donating their works can contact Haley Bice, Communications Assistant at Channel One, by e-mailing [email protected]
Information on the 17th annual Empty Bowls event can be found at helpingfeedpeople.org/empty-bowls/
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Channel One Regional Food Bank, a member of Feeding America, strengthens food access and builds healthy communities. Channel One operates food programs to serve local and area needs such as: a food bank, a food shelf, mobile pantries, Childhood Hunger Programs, and the Nutrition Assistance Program for Seniors (NAPS). Channel One Regional Food Bank mobilizes organizations, volunteers, and donors to serve the network of more than 200 nonprofit programs that provide food for children, adults, and families in need. Channel One serves 14 counties across southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. For more information, call 507.287.2350 or visit helpingfeedpeople.org
