Steamboat Pilot & Today

Soup Bowl Supper is the fundraiser everyone can participate in. Tickets are only $20, which covers dinner, dessert and a handmade ceramic bowl to take home.

The event offers a chance to meet people, encourage art and support the Northwest Colorado Animal Assistance League.

This is the fourth annual Soup Bowl Supper, organized by Steamboat Clay Artisans. Local nonprofit organizations apply during winter to be the fundraiser's beneficiary. This year, 21 groups applied, and the Northwest Colorado Animal Assistance League was chosen.

"The way they were going to use the money really caught everyone's heart," said fundraiser co-chairwoman Deb Babcock. "They will use the money for sick and injured animals and to find homes for abandoned animals."

During a weekend in May, when 24 volunteer ceramic artists went to Blue Sky Pottery to make the 260 soup bowls for the benefit, many of the artists were inspired by the animal theme. As more and more bowls were completed, Babcock noticed that many of them had flat bottoms -- like dog bowls.

The Soup Bowl Supper includes a silent auction of locally made ceramic pieces, from the bread bowls that sit on each table during the supper to the ever-popular serving platters and ceramic vegetable strainers.

This year, several dog dishes and jars for animal treats also will be auctioned.

"People ask us well in advance of this fundraiser what the date will be so they can put it on their calendars," Babcock said. "The atmosphere of the fundraiser is kind of like a community dinner, like the ones held on Thanksgiving and Christmas. People sit at community tables and talk or walk around. It's very casual."

In 2004, the Soup Bowl Supper raised $5,800 for Yampa Valley Recycles. During the first three years of the benefit, Steamboat Clay Artisans raised more than $19,000 for local nonprofits.

The Soup Bowl Supper is Sept. 17 at the Steamboat Springs Community Center and offers two sittings, at 5:30 and 7 p.m.

Tickets are $18 in advance and are available at All That Jazz, the Depot Art Center and Steamboat Springs Animal Shelter. Tickets are $20 at the door. For more information or to volunteer, call 846-9349.

-- To reach Autumn Phillips call 871-4210 or e-mail aphillips@steamboatpilot.com.