02/07/14 The Center at Donaldson is launching an Empty Bowls project, part of an international grassroots effort to fight hunger. The concept was created by The Imagine Render Group. The basic premise is simple: Potters and clay craftspeople work with interested participants to create handcrafted bowls to be sold during a supper event. Later, the public is invited to a simple meal of soup and bread. In exchange for a cash donation at the supper, guests enjoy a simple meal and keep a bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. The money raised at The Center at Donaldson would be donated to The Food Bank of Northern Indiana, serving Elkhart, Kosciusko, LaPorte, Marshall, Starke, and St. Joseph Counties.
The public is invited to come to MoonTree’s Clay Studio on Saturday, February 8, 2014 between 9 a.m. to 12 noon or 1 to 4 p.m. to make clay bowls, using coil or slab construction methods. The bowls will be left to dry, then glazing will be done Saturday, February 22, 9 a.m. to 12 noon or 1 to 4 p.m. These bowl-making and bowl-glazing days are free experiences—all the bowls will be left at MoonTree to be sold during the Empty Bowls Soup Supper. Please call (574) 935-1712 or email moontree@poorhandmaids.org to let us know you’d like to participate in making or glazing bowls, so we can have enough clay ready for you. This will be a great intergenerational experience, but children must be accompanied by adult family members.
The Empty Bowls Soup Supper will be held on Saturday, March 15th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. EDT in Cana Hall within the Ancilla Domini Motherhouse at The Center at Donaldson. For a donation of $15.00 per person, the public is invited to enjoy a meal of soup and bread, home-made by Earthworks. Each one will choose an empty bowl to take home, a symbol of the profound impact that a single effort can make to end food insecurity in our community and across the globe. Tickets for the Empty Bowls soup supper can be reserved by calling or emailing MoonTree Studios.
The Food Bank of Northern Indiana works to feed the hungry, increase awareness of the effects of hunger, and lead programs designed to alleviate hunger. The Food Bank of Northern Indiana is a member of Feeding America, Feeding Indiana’s Hungry (FIsH) and United Way. One dollar can provide up to eight meals for those in need. Ninety-four cents of every dollar donated to the Food Bank goes back into the communities served. Today, the Food Bank actively partners with local and national manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers, food growers, packers and brokers to procure food. In addition, individuals, businesses, and organizations such as MoonTree Studios and The Center at Donaldson conduct drives for food and funds.
Feeding America is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. The organization reports that the nation’s food banks could soon be overwhelmed by demand. Statistics show that 1 out of 8 Americans struggle with food insecurity every day. Millions of people have lost their jobs during the most recent recession and the number of food stamp recipients has increased dramatically. The Empty Bowls Project and Soup Supper at The Center at Donaldson is a way to help, here in your own community. Please make time in your schedule–your help is needed now more than ever.
