Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
March 22, 2007 issue
Sixth Annual Empty Bowls Supper March 31
Fundraiser To Benefit the Hunger and Health Coalition
Story by Celeste von Mangan
The definition of hunger is not having enough food to meet basic nutritional requirements. Hunger in America is prevalent, growing and silent and affects the most vulnerable populations—children and the elderly. The Committee on National Statistics reports that 16 million children suffer every day from the effects of chronic hunger in this country, meaning that there are more hungry children in the United States than in any other industrialized country.
On Saturday, March 31, from 5:00 until 6:30 p.m., Watauga High School students will host the sixth annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser to benefit The Hunger and Health Coalition (HHC).
Students, their parents and local artisans have created and donated original ceramic bowls for the event. Guests choose a bowl and student volunteers serve soup, bread and dessert. After the meal, the diner takes the bowl home to keep as a reminder of all the empty bowls and hungry people around the world. The suggested minimum donation for the meal and the bowl is $15.
Empty Bowls started in 1990 when a high school art teacher in Michigan came up with the idea to raise funds for a local food drive and initiated a class project in which students made ceramic bowls and served guests soup and bread.
By 1991, the Empty Bowls concept was firmly cemented and funds collected supported food banks, soup kitchens and other organizations battling hunger. Since the genesis of the Empty Bowls Project, millions of dollars have been raised in events held worldwide.
Last year, the Watauga High School project raised $6,100 for HHC, a private, nonprofit organization located in Boone, dedicated to supplying food and low-cost pharmaceuticals to low-income residents of Watauga, Avery and Ashe counties. According to HHC Executive Director Compton Fortuna, “We’re seeing so many different people. People are coming in for food assistance on an ongoing basis.”
Empty Bowls helps feed hungry people.
Want To Go?
Date: Saturday, March 31
Time: 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.
Location: Watauga High School Cafeteria
Cost: $15 minimum suggested donation