GREAT FALLS — This weekend will mark a first for the Great Falls YWCA as the organization tries to make up for lost revenue this year due to coronavirus.
The non-profit agency will kick off a week-long virtual auction Saturday. The custom-crafted bowls that people would normally buy during the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser will also be available.
There will be 25 bowls available per day for four days. The 25 bowls available each day will only be available that day.
Several fundraising events canceled this year, including Empty Bowls, due to coronavirus have created a roughly $30,000 budget shortfall for the YWCA.
"We run the Mercy Home shelter for women and children,” executive director Sandi Filipowicz said. "We offer a lot of other programming, like self defense and exercise programming, so it means not being able to offer programs to the people that need it.”
She is confident the auction will be successful. Among the items that are being auctioned:
- Google Pixelbook
- Carved Oak Bar
- 80 lb. Pig Roast
- Family Packages
- Dining & Entertainment Packages
- Fender Guitar
