Artists are a generous lot. We give with our hands and hearts. When we issued a Call to Artists for the 2009 Cups of Kindess art show and sale to benefit the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, we received responses from many local, regional and national artists.  Seventy nine artists donated over 140 pieces of art; the proceeds from the sale of these amazing pieces benefits the Foodbank.

We still have some wonderful pieces, one of which, a vessel by Larry McCardel, is pictured above.  We are holding a silent auction at Elements Gallery and at the Peninsula Art Academy for these pieces, which will end on April 17.    Larry’s piece, which is hand turned curly narra wood measures 3″ x 3.5″.  It is a beautiful piece.  You have the opportunity to add this piece to your collection and to help the Foodbank. Each dollar that is raised purchases $7 worth of food and grocery items. To bid on this item, leave me a comment or email me : from skilled hands AT gmail DOT com.    Take a look at the other items on the Cups of Kindness site, and make a bid.

We are the change we wish to see in the world.

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“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” — Lao Tzu (604-531 B.C.)

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At our gallery, Elements Gallery, we put up pine roping outside, and let the selection of artwork take care if the inside. You can enjoy a cookie or three and watch us work at whatever we’re doing the day you visit.  Take the time to check out our work and the work of the 30 or so artists we represent. Check out the Cups of Kindness display. Wander across the street to the Peninsula Art Academy to see more Cups of Kindness, and a selection of fine work from other local artists. For each dollar we raise, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank can purchase $7 worth of food and grocery items. Take a look at the website; you can purchase items online, and have receive the items in time for Christmas.

The artwork is beautiful, and the generosity of the artists who have donated the pieces, and our sponsors, volunteers, and patrons is so gratifying.  We the People truly make a difference, as we prove the Power of One.  One. Cup. At. A. Time.

As always, feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know you’ve stopped by.  Visit My Town Monday to read about other people and places.

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Hunger does not discriminate; it affects people without regard to background or social status. In our land of plenty, people are hungry every day; they have to decide between paying rent or eating, between medication or food, between staying warm and buying groceries. Of this I am certain: having enough to eat is a right rather than a privilege.

The mission of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is simple: Feed People.  Fight Hunger.

The Foodbank uses its resources well: each dollar that is donated purchases $7 worth of food and grocery products to those in need. Meals that provide sustenance to people who are already stressed. No questions asked. When I recently toured the facility, I was amazed by the quantity of food that was ready to distribute to agencies large and small. The facility was immaculate; the people, both volunteers and paid staff, passionate about their purpose.

The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is located in Akron, Ohio. It serves 8 Ohio counties: Carroll, Holmes, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas and Wayne. It distributes food to more than 400 member agencies that provide food pantries, hot meal sites, shelters and other emergency hunger-relief programs.

The statistics are mind boggling:

the Foodbank serves over 163,000 people annually.

*1 out of every 3 are children under age 18

*1 out of every 10 is a senior citizen

*One in eight Ohioans lives in poverty

*Ohio ranks third in childhood food insecurity for children under 5 —        hungry or at risk for hunger

*One in eight Ohioans use the Food Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamps)

*Every $1 donated to the Foodbank provides $7 worth of food and grocery products for people in need.

*There has been a 23% increase for food requests for food at food pantries over the requests in 2008.

*In 2008, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank distributed 16 million pounds of food.

*In 2009, the Foodbank is on pace to distribute 17.5 million pounds of food.

We are reaching out to others by giving hope. There is, I think, joy and intrinsic satisfaction in helping people who will never know who we are. As members of a world community, we have a moral and ethical responsibility to share our resources and to preserve dignity.

Cups of Kindness is now in it’s second year. This year, we are pleased to join with the Peninsula Art Academy, the Peninsula Area Chamber of Commerce, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, local, regional and national artists and a group of dedicated volunteers to support the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

Local, national and regional artists — over 70, have raised a cup of kindness by donating over 125 pieces of artwork; the proceeds from the sale of the work will benefit the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

If you are in our neck of the woods on Saturday, December 5, from 10-2, join us for light refreshments at our opening reception. The show will run until January 10, 2010.

Take a look at our website to see some of the beautiful pieces of art that have been donated.  Items will be available for purchase online on the evening of Sunday, December 6.

We the People have proved the Power. Of. One. — over and over again. We have shown that we can, with our hands and hearts, help our friends and neighbors in a time of need.   As Margaret Mead said, “A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

We can do this: One. Cup. At. A. Time.

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If you want to see the face of those who can help, take a look in the mirror. Over at A Knitting Nurse , Rudee has done just that.  Rudee spins and knits amazing things. The colors she chooses are rich and vibrant; they emanate from within.  Rudee has made a Fair Isle Hat, which she says, “should fit a head size of 22 inches–or 21 inches with big hair.  It won’t stretch bigger because fair isle doesn’t have a lot of give.  The colors are brown, yellow, cranberry and a hint of purple.  The fiber is Blue Sky Alpaca and it’s softer than a babe’s behind.”

If you’d like to see how you can own this one of a kind hat, visit my friend Rudee.  You’ll have the opportunity to own a hat that came from Rudee’s heart through her hands, and you will be able to look in the mirror and see the face of one of the people who has helped the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank help folks like us. One. Cup. At. A. Time.

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Last year 76 artists and authors, and assorted web designers, sign makers, muffin bakers, photographers and patrons raised a Cup of Kindness as they donated over 150 pieces of work and countless other services to benefit friends and neighbors in need. Through the generosity of these fine folks and people all over the country, we have raised enough money for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank to provide around 28,000 meals. That is an astounding figure: twenty-eight thousand meals.  That is enough to feed each of the 601 people in the Village of Peninsula 46.6 times.

Artwork is coming in and is being cataloged and packed to go to be photographed for this year’s show, which will open on Saturday, December 5th, from 10:00am-2:00pm, at our Elements Gallery and at the Peninsula Art Academy across the street, and will continue through January 10, 2010.   Check back for more details about online purchases and other ways to help.

We the people have demonstrated the Power of One.  And one more.  And one more.  This is how we make a difference in the world.  One. Cup. At. A. Time.

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Over 70 artists donated pieces of art, 160 pieces in all. All proceeds from the sale of the artwork has benefited the hungry in the 8 Ohio counties that the Foodbank serves. The show opened in early December of 2008, and continues.

Diane Keske Talmadge has been drawing and painting since she was a child. She is an accomplished portrait, landscape and still life painter. Her paintings have a wonderful luminous quality about them, quietly showing how she sees the world. Diane teaches painting and drawing in her home studio and at the Peninsula Art Academy.

Diane has a collection of 25 or so antique teacups, and she puts at least 1 antique piece in each of her still life paintings. When she was asked if she would donate a piece to Cups of Kindness, Diane didn’t hesitate. She painted two of her antique teacups, which are displayed on lovely small easels. This piece, along with it’s companion pink teacup are available here. Please visit Elements Gallery in the Village of Peninsula, Ohio, or the Cups of Kindness website to see this and other beautiful pieces of artwork. Every dollar raised purchases 7 nutritious meals for NE Ohio’s hungry, folks like you and me, who need a hand.

Cups of Kindness: Friends and neighbors helping each other.

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I ask  your indulgence as I revisit my words of last October. They seem appropriate this day:

Hunger does not discriminate; it affects people without regard to background or social status. In our land of plenty, people are hungry every day; they have to decide between paying rent or eating, between medication or food, between staying warm and buying groceries. Of this I am certain: having enough to eat is a right rather than a privilege.

The mission of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is simple: Ending Hunger.

We believe that no one should have to go hungry in our “land of plenty.” Children shouldn’t have to go to bed hungry; families shouldn’t have to decide between buying food and paying rent; and seniors shouldn’t have to choose between paying for medication and having a warm meal to eat.

Ending hunger is more than just our mission; it’s something we strive to do everyday. It’s a pledge we have made to our community to end hunger in Summit, Stark, Portage, Medina, Wayne, Holmes, Tuscarawas and Carroll counties. In 1982, based on a commitment by community leaders to help the increasing number of families requesting food assistance, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank was formed. In 2007, the Foodbank distributed over 12 million pounds of food and provided meals for over 163,000 people in need in Northeast Ohio.

The Foodbank uses its resources well: each dollar that is donated purchases 7 nutritious meals. Meals that provide sustenance to people who are already stressed. No questions asked. When I recently toured the facility, I was amazed by the quantity of food that was ready to distribute to agencies large and small. The facility was immaculate; the people, both volunteers and paid staff, passionate about their purpose.

We are reaching out to others by giving hope. There is, I think, joy and intrinsic satisfaction in helping people who will never know who we are. As members of a world community, we have a moral and ethical responsibility to share our resources and to preserve dignity.

Cups of Kindness is a show and sale of one-of-a-kind craft and art which have been graciously donated by artists from around the country. Many hearts and hands have joined together to support our friends and neighbors in a time of need. It is held in the heart of the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley, at Elements Gallery and the Peninsula Art Academy in Peninsula, Ohio.

Through the generosity of so many people, we have been able to donate enough money to the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank to purchase over 21,000  meals. Seventy-six artists donated over 150 pieces of artwork; all proceeds from the sale of the art benefits the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

Your purchases will provide food for the growing number of hungry people in our community.  With each dollar we raise, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is able to purchase 7 nutritious meals.

If you are able, please donate to your local Foodbank.  The need continues to grow.    The 2009  Cups of Kindness benefit will premiere on December 5.  Please check the Cups of Kindness website for updates. Thank you for your continued support.

Thanks to Karen DeGroot Carter for sharing information about Bloggers Unite.

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