Lend a needed helping hand via blankets, bowls
Published 6:00 am Sunday, February 2, 2025
Area residents can lend a helping hand to a pair of good causes in the form of blankets and bowls.
The fifth annual Wrapped in Love Blanket Drive, organized by the nationwide foster care company StepStone Family & Youth Service of Kentucky, is now underway.
“Many children in foster care, they move from home to home, often without a lot of their personal belongings, and so, a blanket is something that feels like their own and can really make a difference in providing that comfort during their uncertain time of what’s going to happen next,” said Ashley Sullivan, licensing specialist at the Bowling Green-based StepStone office. “We wanted to offer them a physical reminder that they’re cared for and that people in the community are thinking of them – so, these blankets are meant to be for warmth and comfort for kids who are in our foster care.”
People can donate new blankets through Feb. 14 at the Lisa Rice Library (1225 State St.), Bob Kirby Branch (175 Iron Skillet Court), Davis & Sons (304 Gordon Ave.), the Southern Lanes bowling alley (2710 Scottsville Road) and StepStone offices at 1300 Andrea St., Suite 204.
The StepStone office will hand out blankets to foster homes within the 20-county service region, which consists largely of Warren County and the surrounding areas. Alongside the blankets, StepStone adds personalized notes with statements such as, “You’re loved,” or, “We hope this brings you warmth and comfort,” Sullivan said.
Meanwhile, Empty Bowls of Bowling Green is gearing up for its 11th annual dinner on March 6 to raise awareness around the issue of food insecurity. This will mark the first in-person dinner after restrictions because of COVID-19.
This year’s event will take place at Forest Park Baptist Church at 520 Old Morgantown Road.
Those who attend eat a meal featuring soup and get to choose a handcrafted bowl to take home.
Typically, the event raises over $10,000 for local charity organizations. In Bowling Green, the nonprofit HOTEL INC and Warren County Schools have been the beneficiaries from the event for the past few years.
Tickets for the event will go on sale around the second week of February. Entry to the event is $15, which covers a meal and a bowl to take home.
Once available, tickets may be purchased at http://www.emptybowlsbg.com/ or at the door on March 6.