By LEAH TATE
newsroom@newsandtribune.com
CLARKSVILLE —
Empty bowls helped feed the hungry at Our Lady of Providence High School on Sunday.
The high school’s Art Club hosted its third-annual Empty Bowls soup dinner, donating proceeds to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Soup Kitchen Ministry, St. Elizabeth Home, In Heaven’s Eyes Ministry and Meals on Wheels of Southern Indiana.
The goal of the Empty Bowls dinner is to raise awareness of the issue of hunger within the community.
Donna Burden, art club adviser and Providence art educator, said she requires 15 hours of artful service per year from her students. She said she teaches her students how to make art with a purpose.
“I want students to learn they can do good things in the name of art,” Burden said. “Service helps instill an appreciation of art, and make a difference in the community,”
Students in art club and Burden’s Introduction to 3D art class created more than 150 bowls for the dinner. She said last year they raised $2,800 for local hunger coalitions. For a minimum $15 donation, participants received a student-made ceramic bowl and soup and bread. Participants could also purchase student-made jewelry on display.
The Popson family found a few bowls that sparked their interest during the event.
“It’s a neat opportunity to give back to the community,” Todd Popson, of New Albany, said. Todd’s daughter Maria picked out a bowl with hearts on it because her birthday is on Valentine’s Day.
Students from the Art Club served soup donated by Sam’s Food and Spirits, and bread and cookies they made for the dinner. Students also washed and packaged bowls for participants before leaving.
Kristin Simms, senior and vice president of the art club, said it’s important for her to help others who are less fortunate.
“This event allows us to use creativity and help the community at the same time,” Simms said.
Clair Slusser, junior and art club member, said she enjoys volunteering at the dinner.
“We get to see everyone want to help out just as much as we do,” Slusser said.
