Empty Bowls holds fundraiser in NDG on Saturday

This Saturday, the Empty Bowls project will be holding a fundraising event at the NDG Food Depot on Marlowe Street in the Notre-Dame-de-Grâce neighbourhood.

CBC's Do Crew will be there, and all are welcome to attend. Here's everything you need to know.

What should people expect?

Upon arrival, participants will be asked to pay $25. They can then choose their hand-made bowl, have it washed, and be served one of two soups.

People will enjoy the ambiance and feeling of community, according to Caroline Jondahl, an organizer of the Empty Bowls event.

There will also be three live music groups performing at the depot, including three-part harmony/folk group, Wavesong.

"The doors are open, and we want people's shoulders to touch, and [people to] mingle, in the spirit of your giving to people that you may even meet here, and you may not even know," Jondahl said.

What is the event's goal?

This is a fundraising event to raise money for different food banks around Montreal, and to raise public awareness. It's Empty Bowls's fourth event this year, and they have a different objective this time.

"Our intention was to open it up and reach out into the community," Jondahl said.

She added that this event is meant to break down invisible barriers between people, which we create ourselves. People should be able to meet others and relate to them, as people who all have needs to be met, according to Jondahl.

"We can't build barriers based on stereotypes about who is in need and who is not in need, because often it's our neighbours," she said.

Who makes the bowls?

Local potters from around Quebec donate the bowls to the project. Potter Sheila Caplan has been a key member of the initiative for 10 years, and is responsible for finding potters to donate their bowls.

What is Empty Bowls?

Empty Bowls is not exclusive to Montreal — events like the one on Saturday happen around the world. This international grassroots project aims to raise money and awareness about food security issues.

The organization's goal is to create models that other social justice workers and organizations can replicate, wherever they may be.

Where and when does it take place?

The event will be held on Saturday, April 9 at the NDG Food Depot on 2146 Marlowe Avenue, from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

All are welcome to come enjoy the soup, buy a bowl, and experience a feeling of community.