By Alan Sorensen
Feed My Sheep, struggling to keep Havres indigenous population fed on dwindling funds, has once again turned for help to local potter Steve Helmbrecht.
But this time, the community soup kitchens director also is turning to Hollywood for help with the charitys Festival Days fund-raising effort.
Beginning at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, Feed My Sheep will host a silent celebrity auction and chili feed at Van Orsdel United Methodist Church.
The cost of the chili feed will include $9 for each of Helmbrechts 225 handmade bowls and $3 for the chili to fill it. The silent auction will include donations by some of show businesss top personalities.
Were getting some response from our celebrities, Feed My Sheep director Nancy Evans said. Weve got an original screen play from When Harry Met Sally signed by Rob Reiner, and a really nice letter and a signed CD from Randy Travis. Reba McIntyre sent a signed cassette tape.
Among the other notable donations Evans has received to date are signed photos from Pat Sajak and Joe Pesci.
Evans also is putting out a call for area contributors. We want local artists to participate, too, she said.
But the undoubted stars of the evening will be Helmbrecht, his bowls, and the chili.
Two years ago, Helmbrecht made an identical gesture, donating approximately 250 bowls to a Feed My Sheep chili feed. Every bowl was sold before the doors were opened to the chili feed. Tickets for bowls and chili have already gone on sale and anyone who wishes to share in the pre-Homecoming game meal is encouraged to buy early.
The tickets can be purchased at Helmbrecht Studio at 224 Forth Ave., or Feed My Sheep Soup Kitchen at 611 Second St.
Helmbrecht said hes made the bowls in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and hues, but that theyre all similar, too, because each bears his name and Feed My Sheep on the bottom.
Helmbrecht spent a total of about 250 hours making the bowls and made a sizable contribution in materials, too.
I donated the clay, however, the college donated the kiln, the gas for firing the bowls, he said.
In all, Helmbrecht fired four loads in the kiln at 2,300 degrees Fahrenheit for about 12 hours each load.
(The bowls) are all stoneware and therere no toxic glazes on any of them, Helmbrecht said. Theyre all food safe.
Evans said the chili feed should be over in time for everyone to get to the Blue Ponies Homecoming football game against Fergus County Eagles.
Evans said that the chili feed and celebrity auction are not intended to fund any special projects other than feeding the poor.
We are just broke, she said.
Call Evans at Feed My Sheep at 265-1629 for more information.
