By Emily Crisman
Community News Writer
The Chattanooga Area Food Bank will be transformed into an indoor cityscape for the fourth annual Hullabowloo, the organization’s flagship fundraising event which informs attendees of the services the organization provides while offering a night of food, fun and entertainment Saturday, Jan. 15 from 7 to 11 p.m.
“It’s a fun way to help feed the hungry,” said Gary Paul, development director at the Chattanooga Area Food Bank. “[Attendees] learn more about our programs and what we do while having fun at the event.”
Billboard-sized photos supplied by National Print Group of well-known Chattanooga landmarks such as Coolidge Park will line the walls of the CAFB warehouse, creating the illusion of roaming the city indoors, complete with street performers and artificial grass.
For the $50 admission charge participants are treated to specialty dishes prepared by local chefs as well as food provided by Big River Grille, Link 41, Whipped Cupcakes and Stone Cup Roasting Company, drinks from Big River and Horizon Spirits and an evening of entertainment.
Bands performing at the event include Signal Mountain’s Mountain Cove Bluegrass Band, Dark Horse Ten, Matt Downer and headliners The MaleMen, a versatile group whose style ranges from rock to funk.
Chefs donating their talents are Greenlife’s Charlie Loomis, University of the South’s Rick Wright, GPS’ Tom Goetz, Baylor’s Gary Klein, Covenant College’s Cameron Mitchell and American Culinary Federation chefs.
“Other than raising money, [Hullabowloo] also helps us raise friends,” said Paul.
He said the event is intended to raise awareness of the organization and the services it provides for the community by offering attendees the opportunity to participate in activities such as packing weekend food bags for low-income children qualifying for free or reduced-cost lunches from Calvin Donaldson and Hardy elementary schools, as well as 30 schools in surrounding rural counties.
CAFB feeds up to 20,000 people a week plus 380 member agencies such as group homes, churches and shelters in 20 counties, according to Paul.
The event features a “bowl boutique” where participants can hand-build ceramic bowls with Lolly Durant, which are then fired and glazed and given to attendees the following year.
“We use them as a thank-you and a reminder that there are people who are hungry in Chattanooga, to be thoughtful of others and think about those who don’t have as much,” said Durant, a Signal Mountain resident who has been working with the Tennessee Association of Craft Artists Empty Bowl Initiative to alleviate hunger in Southeast Tennessee for the past seven years. “I taught in an inner-city school in Chattanooga, so I know about the need.”
Wood, clay, fiber and glass bowls including works by local artisans donated by Nashville-based Lifeworks, which purchases pieces from artists to donate to nonprofit organizations, will also be auctioned to benefit the Food Bank.
E-mail Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com
More information:
The Chattanooga Area Food Bank is at 2009 Curtain Pole Road. Attire for Hullabowloo is casual and attendees must be age 21 or older. For additional details or to purchase tickets, call 622-1800 or visit Hullabowloo.com.