COOKEVILLE – There are three important elements making Habitat for Humanity’s Cooking on the Square such a beloved event each year. The first is the hundreds of friends and neighbors who come together on the fourth Friday of October to cook, eat and enjoy the crisp fall weather. Next is the variety of cajun-themed foods and sweet treats created by local clubs, churches and businesses.
The final element (and one many think is the most important) is the bowls.
For those that aren’t familiar with the process of creating the work of art that is available at every Cooking on the Square, much time and energy is put into taking a lump of clay and creating the final product – a beautiful bowl waiting in the bowl tents to be chosen by participants. Many local artists and volunteers work all year to create the bowls that are used at Cooking on the Square. In 2018, approximately 3,000 bowls were used.
To keep up with the demand of this beloved event, Habitat started a pottery studio a few years ago in their facility on East 15th Street. Local artists have come together in this studio to create bowls for Cooking on the Square.
Due to some changes beyond Habitat’s control, they need to immediately increase their own production of bowls with a studio expansion.
The immediate need for this expansion is $10,000. Habitat is hoping to raise enough money to purchase two more wheels (almost $1,000 each), a large kiln ($4,000), plumbing and electrical work, plus other supplies to make the Habitat studio as productive as possible. This investment will allow Habitat to host more volunteers to create more bowls year after year.
Habitat has created an online campaign using social media and online giving at www.uchabitat.org, as well as encouraging supporters to send donations to 728 E. 15th Street, Cookeville TN 38501.
Questions about the pottery studio or how you can support Cooking on the Square should be directed to Melissa Parks at 931-528-1711 ext. 7 or email melissa@uchabitat.org.
Upper Cumberland Habitat for Humanity (UCHFH) constructs and sells homes to qualified low-income families in both Overton and Putnam counties. To learn how to support the Christian ministry through financial gifts and volunteer time, call Pam Ealey at 528-1711 ext. 1. UCHFH is a non-profit Christian housing ministry that builds simple, decent and affordable homes in partnership with God and families in need. UCHFH strives to rid Putnam and Overton counties of substandard housing and homelessness.
