Bowls for Hope raises money for St. Croix Valley free clinic

UW-River Falls hosted the fourth annual Bowls for Hope event March 12, in the University Center, raising $6,385 for the Free Clinic of Pierce and St. Croix Counties.

Each year, UWRF works with the community to raise funds through Bowls for Hope for a worthy organization that makes a difference in the St. Croix Valley.

The Free Clinic of Pierce and St. Croix Counties serves about 700 patients a year, more than 60 percent of whom have household incomes below the federal poverty level. Since the doors first opened April 24, 2007, the clinic has had more than 13,235 patient visits.
For every $1 raised, the Free Clinic can provide $33 of prescription medications and last year prescribed approximately 8,000 medications.

“A high percentage of new patients have chronic illnesses that require regular prescriptions,” said Mary Conroy-Johnson, chairwoman of the Free Clinic board of directors. “Funds raised from the Bowls for Hope event will be used primarily to obtain diabetic test strips, as resources that allowed the clinic to obtain them at a discounted price have dried up.”

For an entrance fee of $20 per adult, and $5 for children 12 and under, participants at the event selected and kept a bowl that was created in ceramic/pottery classes at UWRF, River Falls High School, Meyer Middle School, the Renaissance Academy, or by area artists.

Attendees then sampled, at no extra charge, soups donated and served by area restaurants. Guests voted for their favorite soup of the evening and the winner was the Smoked Corn and Green Chili Bisque from The West Wind Supper Club.

Artists contributing bowls for the event were Maggie Anderson, Ingrid Bjerstedt-Rogers, Bob Brodersen, Logan Dwyer, Bob Fritz, Jarred Fritz, Ben Gavin, Leah Gavin, Jay Jensen, Doug Johnson, Randy Johnston, Jennifer King, Michael Luethmers, Jan McKeachie-Johnston, Dan Nistler, Wendy Olson, Doug Peterson, S.C. Rolf, Joe Singewald, Diane Webster, Taylor Yotter, Scott Zeinert, Anne Buchholz’s class at the Renaissance Academy, Randy Johnston’s class at UWRF, Kelyn King’s class at Meyer Middle School and Gina Pedriana-Basche’s pottery classes at River Falls High School.

Participating restaurants providing and serving soup were Bo’s ‘N Mine, Coach’s Bar & Grill, Copper Kettle, Dish and the Spoon Café, Junior’s Bar & Restaurant, Mainstreeter Bar & Grill, Paddy Ryan’s Irish Pub, Perkins Family Restaurant, River Falls Hospital Sodexo Dinning Services, South Fork Café, The West Wind Supper Club, UWRF Sodexo Dining Services and Whole Earth Grocery.

Live piano music was provided by Associate Professor Roger McVey and UWRF students. To date, Bowls for Hope has raised more than $21,000 for local charitable organizations.

Submitted by University Communications