A soup-er event
By Chelsea Yarnell
For Oregon Coast TODAY
A bowl of soup could change someone’s life.
Last year, Tides of Change, a nonprofit serving survivors of domestic sexual violence, stalking and trafficking, helped more than 600 people in Tillamook County.
“We serve children through the elderly,” said Tides of Change Executive Director Valerie Bundy, adding: “We have an emergency shelter, help people obtain protection orders and navigate through the different systems, help survivors maintain or gain housing stability, provide support groups and counseling.”
On hiatus since 2019, the 14th annual Soup Bowl Event returns this Saturday, Oct. 26, hosted at Pacific Restaurant in Tillamook. The dinner features soups, breads and desserts supplied by various restaurants including Pacific Restaurant, The Corral Grill & Taphouse, The Fern Café and the Sand Dollar Restaurant & Lounge. Unique to the fund-raiser is that guests have the option to purchase one of 125 hand-crafted soup bowls and have their dinner served in it.
“[Diners] get to pick one of the handmade bowls that the potters created and they get to keep it,” Bundy said.
The bowls are made by a group of northwest potters overseen by Clatsop County artist Richard Rowland. Rowland helps guide the group through the process of firing in a wood-fire kiln that requires physical attention 24 hours a day for up to a week.
“A lot of people who have been students of his come together and create the bowls” Bundy said. “They also do it for the Harbor, which is a similar agency to us in Astoria.”
Guests interested in attending the Soup Bowl Event are encouraged to pre-purchase tickets. Dinner without a bowl is $30 and unique bowls to take home are $50 each. Tickets can be purchased online at Eventbrite.com or at the door.
“While it's a fund-raiser, we also really look at it as a community gathering for those that are supportive of the work that we do for survivors,” Bundy said. “It's just a nice time to come together and share a meal.”
Following the meal, Bundy and her staff will give guests an update about what the organization has been up to since 2019.
“We do really need and appreciate the support from our local community with donations throughout the year,” she said. “It helps with all the unique needs that come up that grants do not pay for.”
All services provided by Tides of Change are free and confidential.
A platform to gift monetarily and links to the Tides of Change Amazon Wishlist is available at tidesofchangenw.org.
Saturday’s Soup Bowl Event begins at 5 pm at Pacific Restaurant, located at 205 Main Avenue in Tillamook. For more information, go to tidesofchangenw.org.