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Empty bowls-Hope not hunger!

empty-bowlsThere is a wonderful “grassroots” movement growing around the country with the mission of feeding the hungry, disadvantaged and homeless and it’s called “EMPTY BOWLS.”   The effort is based on the international Empty Bowls program, where volunteers create bowls that are used to serve a meal of soup and bread during a fundraiser. The bowls serve as a reminder that there are always empty bowls in the world.

When you think of hunger and poverty, a lot of people think about 3rd world countries and they may not be aware that right here in Clarksville, Montgomery County we have a big need.  There are many people who are hungry, and although we have several local programs like Urban Ministries Grace Assistance Food Pantry, Loaves and Fishes (Soup Kitchen), FUEL and others, the need is still great. Agencies have reported close to a 40% increase in the number of persons they are serving, up from last year at this time. According to the USDA, over 36 million Americans are food insecure…and just do not have enough to eat.

Empty Bowls
Empty Bowls

Last year the First Annual Clarksville Empty Bowls initiative raised over $ 10,700 helping raise awareness about hunger issues and putting food on the tables of many local families. Much of the Clarksville community pitches in to fill the Empty Bowls. Local restaurants supply the breads, churches provide desserts, and local businesses and others donate funds for the ingredients to make the homemade soups that are served at the supper.

The 2010 Empty Bowls event will be held on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 from 4:30-7:00 pm. at the Waterstreet Events Center on Riverside Drive in Clarksville.  More than 500 bowls have been made and donated for the upcoming soup supper by artists from the Tennessee Association of Craft Artists, APSU Art Dept. students and local citizens.  A silent auction and a few other fundraising efforts at the event will all go towards supporting Loaves and Fishes, United Methodist Urban Ministries-Grace Assistance Food Pantry and the F.U.E.L program, local programs feeding Clarksville’s hungry.

Organizers plan to serve 500 at the 2010 Empty Bowls Event. There will be plenty of comfort food for everyone. This year there are plans to have crafters on a potter’s wheel crafting bowls while soup is being served and local musicians providing entertainment.

Sponsors, donations for soup ingredients and volunteers are needed. For more information, contact Rita Arancibia at 931-551-5450 or e-mail: rita.arancibia@gmail.com. Tickets will go on sale in mid December.

Photos from the 2009 Empty Bowls

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