By TARA HETTINGER
In 2008, 49.1 million Americans weren’t sure where their next meal was coming from, which is up from the previous year’s 36.2 million.
That’s according to feeding
america.org.
So, Our Lady of Providence Junior-Senior High School students are doing what they can to make a difference in this area by hosting their first Empty Bowls Project event this Sunday, which raises money to fight hunger in the area.
“It’s supports a great cause. You get soup, bread, dessert and a student-made bowl for a $15 donation,” 17-year-old Matthew Christian said.
He is one of about 75 students who have been working to create ceramic bowls for the event at Providence. People coming will get to choose a bowl and fill it with chicken noodle soup or chili, donated by Sam’s Food and Spirits, and dessert donated by Our Best Restaurant.
He said the event is about raising awareness and funds, which will all go to Meals On Wheels of Southern Indiana and various soup kitchens in the area.
“I’ve volunteered at soup kitchens before, so I kind of knew, but I don’t think I quite realized how bad it could be for some people and how many people don’t have food when they want it. They can’t go to the pantry and get something to eat,” Christian said. “I don’t think I really realized before that not everybody is as blessed as I am.”
Senior Tyler Ash has made 15 to 20 bowls for the event.
“It’s kind of hard to learn, but once you get a hold of it, it’s pretty easy to make a lot of bowls in no time,” Ash said. “It’s kind of addicting. I started to make one and I made more. The more I made, I thought, the more money we can get. That’ll buy more food for the hungry.”
Kristen Ehringer, who designed a T-shirt that’s also being sold for the cause, made a bowl to donate.
“It’s pretty cool looking. At the bottom of the bowl I wrote with what looks like paint saying ‘More please,’ with a smiling face,” Ehringer said. “Hopefully, whoever buys the bowl will go up and buy more after it.”
Christian said he’s not sure how much money will be collected for charities, but he’s hoping for the best.
“We’ve worked really hard on this, so I hope people do realize that this is for a really good cause and all the money is going to charities and none of it is going to our school,” he said.
“I think it’s for a really good cause and I’m glad I’ve been able to be a part of it. It’s cool people can use their talents, their art, for a good cause,” Ehringer said.
She said more than helping the hungry, there’s another benefit to people coming out to the event.
“It’s a great way to mingle with people and to have a great time,” she said.
SO YOU KNOW
• WHAT: Empty Bowls Project
• WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 17 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• WHERE: Our Lady of Providence Junior-Senior High School, in the activity center
• DETAILS: Get a handmade ceramic bowl, soup or chili, bread, dessert and a drink for a minimum donation of $15. All money raised will go to Meals On Wheels of Southern Indiana and various soup kitchens in the area.
