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Empty Bowls project helps to fill empty stomachs

LEWISBURG – The annual Empty Bowls meal will be held Tuesday in the Center Room of the Elaine Langone Center at Bucknell University.

Empty Bowls programs are held throughout the country as a creative way to address hunger in local communities. Handmade ceramic bowls are offered along with a simple meal in exchange for a donation, with proceeds going to local food programs.

Meal times will be 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 7:30 p.m.

For $10, individuals can purchase a hand-made ceramic bowl to be filled with a choice of soup.

Proceeds from Bucknell’s annual Empty Bowls meal will benefit the Community Harvest hot meal program in Milton, which serves a free supper to more than 100 people every Monday evening at St. Andrew’s Church on Lower Market Street.

For months, volunteers work with the Bucknell University Craft Center to make more than 300 crafted and glazed bowls for this event. Many students volunteer to help reach this goal, especially during the “Bowl-a-thon”, a day organized by Gretchen Heuges, craft center coordinator. Artists use the potter’s wheels to make 100 bowls in a single day.

“The Empty Bowls Project is a great way to blend art with community service,” said Heuges. “Students really enjoy the process of making the bowls, but more importantly, the project raises awareness of local hunger and need, something that many do not know exists.” According to Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity, one in six Americans struggle with hunger daily.

“I got involved with Empty Bowls because my high school had had a similar event, and it was great seeing my community at home come together for the cause,” said Bucknell sophomore Deanna Boerstler. “When I found out that we had an Empty Bowls here, I was really excited because it’s so much more than just a community service event. It brings people together not only for the Empty Bowls message, but also for the beautiful pottery that so many hands have helped create.”

Empty Bowls is a collaboration of the Bucknell Office of Civic Engagement, the Craft Center, Dining Services, and local restaurants that donate soup and bread.

Tickets will be available at the door the day of the event.

For more information, call 577-3973.

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