Bowls made with a purpose
For the fourth year, the World Hunger Bowl will satiate an appreciation for art and fill the stomachs of those in need.
About 25 professional artists from all over the world donated bowls — from as far as Kenya, Germany and Uganda — which will be auctioned off for charity Saturday at the Aliso Creek Inn and Golf Course. The event, which will feature 100 bowls including eight from Laguna artists, also includes tasty soups and other culinary offerings by local restaurants such as K’ya Bistro, French 75, Sundried Tomato Cafe, Sapphire Laguna, Nirvana Grille and Mozambique.
Founder Faye Chapman raised more than $20,000 at last year’s event, which went to the Laguna Relief and Resource Center. She aims for more this year, with proceeds benefiting the Alternative Sleeping Location (ASL) in town. Donated items this year continue to go to the resource center’s pantry.
Interesting bowls in this year’s auction include ones made out of horseshoes and wire, and another on a piece of driftwood.
Chapman’s interest in helping the homeless came about during a photography class she took in the 90s, she said. She went to Venice Beach, and her lens was drawn to a homeless woman.
“When my eyes met her eyes — her eyes just totally changed,” said Chapman, who added it was as if people never really looked at the woman. “I don’t know what happened to me in this moment, but something happened to me.”
She said from then on, she made it a mission to understand more about the homeless and help those less fortunate. She published a book of photography that was sparked by that experience, “Faces of the Shadows, Life on the Street.”
Chapman said after a tough divorce some years ago, she relied on friends in town for shelter and became homeless herself. She said the experience made her want to give back even more.
She is a member of the city’s Housing and Human Services Committee and was on the Homeless Task Force. She was a big supporter of bringing the ASL to town, she said.
Chapman is excited that Trabuco Hills High School’s ceramics class is donating bowls again this year and Laguna Beach High School will be for the first time. Trabuco found out about the event via Facebook, and the teacher asked her how her students could help.
Chapman said her goal is to educate others that homeless people are just like everyone else.
“When you are down on your luck, you need people to help pick you up,” she said.
The event coincides with National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, which runs Thursday to Nov. 7. Chapman received a $1,000 grant from Soroptimist International for the event.
Volunteers are needed. Anyone interested can contact Chapman at FayeChapman01@gmail.com or (949) 280-2885.
Twitter: @joannaclay
IF YOU GO
What: Fourth Annual World Hunger BowlWhen: 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday
Where: Aliso Creek Inn and Golf Course, 31106 S. Coast Highway.
Tickets: $45, which includes five soup tastes, dessert and a unique bowl crafted by a local student. Bowls will be auctioned off for $5 to $850.
Information: worldhungerbowl.org