The art of feeding the hungry

Instead of an auctioneer calling bid amounts, the room was filled with the sounds of a band playing music. The atmosphere was cheerful and friendly rather than intensely competitive.\nThe third annual "Palette to Palate" art auction of the Community Kitchen Saturday at the Fountain Square Ballroom, 320 W. Eighth St., showcased more than 130 works from about 90 different artists.The proceeds of the silent art auction go toward food programs for the homeless that the kitchen oversees. \nLee Cohn, a jewelry artist and founder of the auction, said the response was terrific, with people were arriving before the 7 p.m. start time.\nLocal restaurants donated food for guests; local businesses and bands donated services and many other businesses and stores sponsored door prizes and gift certificates for the auction.\nPeople were given a bid number when they registered at the entrance. Interested bidders put their bid numbers and their bid on a sheet under each art work. \nJulio Alonso, director of the Community Kitchen, said they were hoping to raise between $7,000-$8,000 at the auction. \nJudith Lucas, board member of the kitchen and the co-chair of the Art Auction Committee, said the event was one of their major fund-raisers. It also gave the community a chance to get involved, have a good time and at the same time contribute something to a good cause, she said. \n"Last year's auction did not do too well, but seeing the response this year I am confident we will at least meet our first year's mark," she said. \nLois Zimmerman, president of the Community Kitchen Board, said it also gave people a chance to bid for and buy some beautiful works of art. Zimmerman, who was bidding for several of the art pieces herself, said the response to the auction was incredible. \n"It is so wonderful for the artists to come forth and donate something they have spent their time and effort to create and for the community to support us in our effort," she said.\nCohn said he had been volunteering at the kitchen for a while and was looking for ways to help raise funds. Cohn, who was also the drummer on the warm-up band of the evening, O2R, said he knows people within the artistic community and brought them together. It just seemed the most natural thing to do, he said. It's important for people to reach out and help, he said. \n"And after all, you start in your own backyard" Cohn said. He also had jewelry pieces on display.\nJunior Lance Thurner said being a part of the kitchen and the art auction made him feel he was doing something worthwhile with his time.\n"I am not just treating myself, I am doing something important, something useful," he said. \nBonnie Gordon, a professional illustrator, has been part of all three auctions and had two pieces at this year's auction. She also volunteers at the Kitchen. She said the auction gave her a chance to display her art and contribute to a worthy cause at the same time.