Susan Sutterer and Empty Bowls Committee

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Susan Sutterer, Chair for Empty Bowls Committee

In 2007, members of New River Community Action’s Floyd Local Advisory Board came together to address the problem of child hunger by creating the Floyd County Back Pack Program under the umbrella of New River Community Action. The potters in Floyd County stepped forward to organize a community event – Empty Bowls – to fund the program. The Empty Bowls Committee has organized the annual fundraising event each year. Almost $69,000 has been raised since the Empty Bowls’ inception.

Susan Sutterer has served on the Empty Bowls Committee since the beginning and as Chairperson since 2014. Susan and her husband, Ron, have volunteered for the event since it began 10 years ago. Ron, a member of the Blue Ridge Potters Guild, is one of many fine potters from Floyd County and the surrounding area who donate bowls to the event. In addition, Ron and Susan reach out to other potters who donate bowls. The beautiful bowls make the Empty Bowls event successful; the fundraiser would not be possible without the potters’ generous donations.

With funding from the Empty Bowls event, grants from foundations and private donations, the NRCA Floyd County Back Pack Program helps low-income school-age children obtain nutritious and easy-to-prepare food they need for the weekends. Since the beginning of this school year, the Floyd County Back Pack Program has served 175 children enrolled at the five Floyd County public schools and the NRCA Head Start program.

Susan Sutterer volunteers approximately 400 hours each year for various organizations. She is a caring, dedicated volunteer who acts selflessly. As Chairperson of the Empty Bowls Committee, she pays attention to every detail of the event. Under her supervision, Committee members not only organize the event, but also participate fully in set up and clean up. Susan puts the finishing touches on the fundraiser, and she does so with a humble attitude. NRCA is fortunate to have a wonderful volunteer like Susan Sutterer who make a difference in our community!

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Ron Sutterer working on some of his wonderful
pottery for the 2017 Empty Bowls event on April 23.