ECU to host 2nd Annual Empty Bowls event

At the March 2012 Empty Bowls event, JoAnna Wolfe selects a bowl crafted by the ECU Ceramics Guild. The 2012 event raised approximately $3,000 to help offset hunger in the area. (Photo by Cliff Hollis)

Two East Carolina University organizations will combat hunger through the 2nd annual Empty Bowls event, scheduled from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Feb. 7 in the Mendenhall Student Center Great Rooms on campus.

Empty Bowls is an international grassroots effort to raise money while reminding participants of all the empty bowls in the world. Guests purchase tickets for a meal of soup and bread, along with a handmade bowl.

At ECU, the bowls are created and donated through the ECU Ceramics Guild, which is sponsoring the project along with ECU Campus Living and Dining Services. Local businesses are providing food and beverages. All funds raised will be donated to the Greenville Food Bank.

“Empty Bowls is a wonderfully unique fundraiser that gives our community a chance to come together and help those in need,” said Sara Kurtz, president of the ECU Ceramics Guild.  “Service is a big part of the mission of the Ceramics Guild and we are thrilled to be a part of this event.”

Mary Esther Baker, development officer for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, said the organization was grateful for fundraisers like Empty Bowls, which “create awareness of hunger in the community and raise funds to support our mission: ‘No one goes hungry in central & eastern North Carolina.”

“There are more than 100,000 of our neighbors in eastern North Carolina for whom food insecurity is a daily reality,” Baker said.

Bowls will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis and must be picked up during the event.

Tickets are $15, available through the Mendenhall Student Center ticket office. Guests may park in the lot outside Mendenhall Student Center.

Local sponsors include Peasant’s Pub, Starlight Café, The Scullery, Winslow’s, The Tipsy Teapot, Starbucks, UBE, La Bendicion bakery and ARAMARK.

For additional information, visit www.emptybowls.net or contact ECU Campus Living at (252) 328-2834.