In a show of community unity, school students, university faculty, area artisans and other caring individuals have pitched in to make more than 500 ceramic bowls for the Nov. 7 “Empty Bowls” event to alleviate hunger.
The Mississippi University Department of Art and Design has been busy organizing the project which will benefit the local Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen and provide food for children in Africa through Global Connections.
“The community came out in droves to make bowls,” said Alisa Holen, assistant professor of ceramics at MUW. “It’s been so exciting.”
On the lawn outside The Shops at Brickerton at the intersection of Highway 82 and Military Road, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., volunteers will offer the bowls — filled with homemade soup prepared by the MUW Culinary Arts Institute — for a donation of $10 each.
Holen said, “You can select any bowl you want and take it home as a reminder that your $10 has gone to feed someone in need.”
Although the ceramics instructor has contributed bowls to similar projects in the past, this is the first time she has taken on an organizing role.
“It’s been a handful, but for all the right reasons. I kind of thought it would be a small thing, but so many people have been interested and offered to help,” she stated.
Groups involved have included students from Columbus High School and other schools, the YMCA’s Y-Teens, the Center for Creative Learning, church groups, MUW students and faculty and more. Many were assisted by Holen’s advanced ceramics students.
MUW donated the clay and glazes for the bowl-making. Brickyard Properties is donating the use of tents and tables for the outdoor event. The Hamburger Hobos band will donate its time to perform live music.
“It’s fantastic to see so many organizations and individuals in Columbus come together for such a terrific cause,” said Holen. “We encourage everybody to come out and make a donation Nov. 7, take home a bowl, enjoy delicious soup and know your donation will help alleviate hunger.”
For more information, contact Holen at 662-241-7814.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
