Ponoka FCSS Empty Bowls raises funds to fight food insecurity

Ponoka FCSS Empty Bowls raises funds to fight food insecurity

Published 1:04 pm Thursday, September 24, 2026

Ponoka Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) hosted its annual Empty Bowls fundraiser in support of the Ponoka Food Bank on Sept. 23, at the Pony Express inside the Calnash Ag Event Centre.

For $20, attendees could choose a unique, handmade pottery bowl, created and donated by the Ponoka Potters Guild, enjoy a bowl of soup donated by one of the 11 participating local businesses, and grab a coffee and desert as well.

There was a wide range of delicious soup to choose from, from chicken pot pie from Boston Pizza, to borscht from the Ukrainian Bistro and wonton soup from Golden Harbour.

Altogether, 16 local businesses and agencies donated to the event.

There was also 10 other service agencies who set up information tables besides FCSS, including Wolf Creek BGC, Ponoka and Rimbey Adult Learning Centre, Cosmos Group of Companies, 211, the Family Resource Network, the Ponoka Jubilee Library and the Community Legal Clinic.

“It was great to see the community all come together,” said FCSS program coordinator Kori Hart.

A total of 209 bowls were sold, according to Hart.

This year, the partial proceeds will go to the Ponoka Food Bank and the Ponoka Jubilee Library’s food insecurity program. All the funds raised stay local.