ECU to host Empty Bowls event to fight Greenville hunger issue

Two East Carolina University groups are partnering to combat hunger in the Greenville Area with a fundraising project to benefit the Greenville Homeless Shelter and the Greenville Food Bank.

ECU’s Campus Living and Dining Services and the ECU Ceramics Guild will raise the funds with an Empty Bowls fundraiser March 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Mendenhall Student Center’s Great Rooms.

The Empty Bowls Project is an international grassroots effort to fight hunger. In exchange for a cash donation, guests are invited to a simple meal of soup and bread and are asked to keep a handcrafted bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. The bowls for this fundraiser were created and donated by the ECU Ceramics Guild.

“We want to use our talents and skills to create bowls that are functional and one of a kind that will enable funds to be raised to benefit those in need,” said Karen Silinsky, ECU Ceramics Guild and Empty Bowls Project coordinator.

Due to the unique nature of the bowls, they may be chosen on a first-come, first-serve basis. Bowls must be picked up during the event.

“This project is a collaborative effort bringing people together as a community to help one another,” said Silinsky. “It is part of the mission of the ECU Ceramics Guild to give back to the community and we are honored to do this.”

Tickets are $15 and are available through the Mendenhall ticket office. Parking will be available in the lot outside the Mendenhall Student Center.

“The Empty Bowl’s Project is a great partnership opportunity, which helps our talented art students showcase their individual skills in addition to providing some much needed financial assistance for two local agencies that do so much good for our community,” said Bill McCartney, associate vice chancellor of Campus Living and Dining Services.

“This is a Greenville community experience, not just an ECU campus effort and we hope to see many members of the Greenville community come and participate in this event,” he said.

For additional information about the Empty Bowls Project, visit www.emptybowls.net or contact ECU Campus Living and Dining Services at (252) 328-2883.

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