PRESS RELEASE:
How do you raise $10,000 for a food bank? Get creative. Three years ago, White Center Food Bank Executive Director Rick Jump approached Avalon Glassworks owners Shannon and Jon Felix after noticing their work on a fundraising glass piece for the Moclips-By-The-Sea Historical Society. He asked whether the duo would be willing to create something special to use as a food bank fundraising piece that captured the essence of their mission. The result of their conversation became the Feed the Core apple series – brightly colored blown glass apples to symbolize a bountiful harvest. Each set appears in the fall just at apple harvest time – the first year's apple a ripe celadon, followed by a fire engine red Delicious and this year’s intense yellow Jonagold apple. Each apple sells for $80 of which $40 goes straight to the food bank allowing them to purchase up to 200 pounds of food. The remaining $40 covers all of Avalon’s production expenses.
Owner and designer, Shannon Felix says, “We undertook this project because Rick approached us – and as artists we are generally never in a position to write a large donation check. But this year, when we sell 34 more apples, we will be donating $10,000. Through our art we create a beautiful gift piece, contribute to awareness of hunger in our community, all while raising the profile of our business.” Shannon further notes that they hear recipients of the apple are thrilled to learn their apple has done double duty. As a business, Avalon Glassworks used to spend more on direct advertising but now focuses mainly on community connections such as their relationship with the White Center Food Bank. It provides a great networking opportunity as well. Shannon and Jon both encourage other artists and artisans to contribute their time and talents to the community. White Center Executive Director, Rick Jump says, “I am so thrilled with not just the amount of the donation for the food bank, but the wonderful collaborative relationships that have grown through this endeavor.” Shannon and Jon agree.
A celebration is planned for the day Avalon reaches $10,000 which they hope will be early summer 2011.
For more information:
Avalon Glassworks 206-937-6369 http://www.avalonglassworks.com
White Center Food Bank 206-762-2848 http://www.whitecenterfoodbank.org
