MOOSE JAW — The third annual Empty Bowls fundraiser hosted by Square One Community Inc. recently concluded at Zion United Church with the goal of bringing the community together to address the issues of hunger and homelessness in Moose Jaw.
The fundraiser took place on Nov. 15 and appears to have sold out all 175 tickets made available for the charitable event.
“It’s going wonderful,” announced Maxton Eckstein, the special projects co-ordinator for Square One during the event.
“We’re having record numbers here today, which is really positive to see how many people are supporting the unhoused community right now. It really demonstrates the caring and loving community we have here in Moose Jaw.”
The aim of Empty Bowls is to bring awareness to the issue of homelessness in Moose Jaw and all proceeds go directly to the Square One Community Centre to support those individuals who are currently housing insecure.
The inaugural Empty Bowls fundraiser was held on Nov. 19, 2022, at the Timothy Eaton Gardens Social Hall and was followed by a second well-attended event on Nov. 17, 2023, at Zion United Church. In its second year, Empty Bowls sold at least 150 tickets.
“This is larger than last year,” Eckstein confirmed. “I think it’s also larger because people are recognizing that the problem in Moose Jaw is growing larger. But, if we all work together like we are today, we know we can bring a brighter future for our unhoused folks.”
This year’s event also received around 150 handcrafted ceramic bowls that guests could take home with them after their meal. Of these, at least 33 were individually handcrafted and donated by Janine Rivard alongside another 23 or more by Melanie McFarlane and Faithe Sovdi.
The soup was generously donated by Veroba’s Family Restaurant, The Mad Greek, Soltopia, the Kinsmen Café run by Moose Jaw Families for Change, Evolve Coffee, and The Canadian Brewhouse.
Earlier, Eckstein said that one key myth surrounding Moose Jaw’s homeless community is that many of these individuals are brought in from other population centres. Rather, he claims, most of them have lived here their entire lives or were born here and later returned. He described this as “a local problem (that)… needs local solutions.”
“Everything here today is Moose Jaw-based,” he announced. “All the soups are from local restaurants here in town, and all the bowls are handcrafted by local artisans. So, this is truly a Moose Jaw event.”
All proceeds — the numbers of which haven’t yet been confirmed — will go directly toward Square One’s supportive housing project to be launched at William Milne Place in December, Eckstein said.
“(This project) will give us the opportunity to begin working one-on-one on the front line with residents in the building that are at risk of immediate eviction,” he explained. “We’re looking forward to moving in that direction as well as raising money towards our phase two of supporting housing, which is to bring individuals directly out of the shelter (and) into housing.”
Empty Bowls was attended by several political leaders including Tim McLeod, Megan Patterson, Blaine McLeod, Heather Eby, and the newly elected mayor James Murdock.
“We’re also really excited that we have a slate of great new politicians here (and so we’re)… also excited about the future as well. Things are (looking) bright for Moose Jaw.”
The event included a silent auction, staycation raffle, and Eckstein closed his presentation with a sneak peak of the upcoming film, “A Home to Call My Own.” He followed with a recording of “Impossible” performed by Jim Cuddy.
“We’re just very grateful for everybody that contributed today and we thank you so much for partnering with us,” Eckstein concluded.
To learn more visit SquareOneHousingMooseJaw.com, follow ‘Square One Community Inc. Moose Jaw’ on Facebook, or email [email protected].
Zion United Church is located at 423 Main Street North.
