Agenda Item # 5

Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting

01/26/2016

Agenda Report # 72


TO: Mayor and Council

SUBJECT: Donations for the Empty Bowl Fundraiser

INITIATED BY: Parks and Recreation

Recommendation: Approval is requested to authorize the Columbus Parks and Recreation to accept donations in the form of gift certificates, check, and cash from sponsors and individuals for the purpose of purchasing supplies each year for the Empty Bowl event. Also, to allow Columbus Parks and Recreation to accept cash, check, and credit card donations before and during the event each year for tickets to the event, auction pieces, and money donations. 100% of the money will go to Feeding the Valley for the Kid’s Café program. Bowls will be sold after the event for donations as well. This is an ongoing yearly program and requires donations each year to put on the event. Approval is requested for each year that the Empty Bowl is held.

Background: Each year the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department holds its main charity fundraiser “The Empty Bowl Brunch” every spring for the Kids Café, a local program of the Feeding the Valley Food Bank. Kids Cafe programs provide free meals and snacks to low-income children through a variety of community locations where children already congregate. In addition to providing meals to kids, all Kids Cafe programs also offer a safe haven, where under the supervision of trustworthy staff, a child can get involved in educational, recreational and social activities.

Analysis: The annual “Empty Bowl” Brunch this year will be on Sunday, March 6th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Ticket holders will be able to choose a bowl (to keep) from among hundreds of uniquely made pieces and enjoy all-you-can-eat “homemade” style soups, breads, desserts and drinks - and 100% of the proceeds go to the Kids Café. This year the Empty Bowl will take place at Northside Recreation Center, 2010 American Way, Columbus, GA 31909.

Financial Considerations: Columbus Parks and Recreation provides a site, staff, firing bowls, and administration of the program. The donations of money and supplies are provided by sponsors and individuals.

Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: None is expected

Legal Considerations: Approval of Council is requested for this City sponsored event.

Recommendations/ Actions: Approve the resolution authorizing Columbus Parks and Recreation to collect donations for the Empty Bowl program.

A RESOLUTION
NO. _____

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING COLUMBUS PARKS AND RECREATION TO ACCEPT DONATIONS IN THE FORM OF GIFT CERTIFICATES, CHECK, AND CASH FROM SPONSORS AND INDIVIDUALS FOR THE EMPTY BOWL EVENT EACH YEAR THAT THE PROGRAM IS HELD.. ALSO, TO ALLOW COLUMBUS PARKS AND RECREATION TO ACCEPT CASH, CHECK, AND CREDIT CARD DONATIONS BEFORE AND DURING THE EVENT FOR TICKETS TO THE EVENT, AUCTION PIECES, AND MONEY DONATIONS. 100% OF THE MONEY WILL GO TO FEEDING THE VALLEY FOR THE KID'S CAFE PROGRAM. BOWLS WILL BE SOLD AFTER THE EVENT FOR DONATIONS AS WELL. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROGRAM AND APPROVAL IS AUTHORIZED TO ACCEPT DONATIONS AND THE LIKE EACH YEAR THAT THE PROGRAM IS HELD.

WHEREAS, each year the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department holds its main charity fundraiser “The Empty Bowl Brunch” every spring for the Kids Café, a local program of the Feeding the Valley Food Bank. Kids Cafe programs provide free meals and snacks to low-income children through a variety of community locations where children already congregate. In addition to providing meals to kids, all Kids Cafe programs also offer a safe haven, where under the supervision of trustworthy staff, a child can get involved in educational, recreational and social activities; and,

WHEREAS, the annual “Empty Bowl” Brunch will be on Sunday, March 6th from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Ticket holders will be able to choose a bowl (to keep) from among hundreds of uniquely made pieces and enjoy all-you-can-eat “homemade” style soups, breads, desserts and drinks - and 100% of the proceeds go to the Kids Café. This year the Empty Bowl will take place at Northside Recreation Center, 2010 American Way, Columbus, GA 31909; and,

WHEREAS, Columbus Parks and Recreation provides a site, staff, firing bowls, and administration of the program. The donations of money and supplies are provided by sponsors and individuals.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:

Columbus Parks and Recreation is authorized to accept donations in the form of gift certificates, check, and cash from sponsors and individuals for the purpose of purchasing supplies for the Empty Bowl event. Also, Columbus Parks and Recreation is allowed to accept cash, check, and credit card donations before and during the event for tickets to the event, auction pieces, and money donations. 100% of the money will go to Feeding the Valley for the Kid’s Café program. Bowls will be sold after the event for donations as well.


___________

Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held the _________ day of _____________ 2016, and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote of
____________ members of said Council.


Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Buck voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.



_______________________________ __________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor