January 17, 2014
Empty Bowls Feed the Hungry
Update: the Empty Bowls auction raised $2300 for the Bigger Vision!
One of the unique characteristics of Prince Avenue Christian School is the opportunity that students are given to use their talents and abilities to minister to the community. The Empty Bowls Silent Auction, sponsored by the PACS National Art Honors Society (NAHS), is one such event.
PACS art teacher, Meghan Hudson, implemented Empty Bowls at PACS three years ago as a way to get her art students involved in ministering to the community. “I want the students to use their artistic talents that God has given them to serve.”
Mrs. Hudson had participated in Empty Bowls as a student in college and really appreciated the symbolism the effort involved while also helping other organizations that minister to those in need. “Empty Bowls is an international grassroots effort to fight hunger,” she explains. “The basic idea is that potters, artists, craftspeople, and educators work with the community to create handcrafted bowls. Guests are invited to a simple meal of soup and bread. In exchange for a cash donation, guests are asked to keep a bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world. The money raised is donated to an organization working to end hunger.”
In implementing Empty Bowls at PACS, Mrs. Hudson used her creativity and designed the Empty Bowls campaign to better fit our school community. Instead of the meal of soup and bread, the NAHS students design, build, fire, and glaze their bowls starting in the month of November. In January, the students fill the bowls with goodies gathered from donors or sponsors. The bowls are then set out for display in the front hallway and sold by silent auction to the highest bidder. All the money raised is donated to “A Bigger Vision”, a homeless shelter in downtown Athens.
A representative from “A Bigger Vision” will visit the PACS campus to receive the donation and share with students about the work that they do and the way the money will be used to help those in need. Students will have opportunities to ask questions and learn other ways they can be involved in ministering in the community. Mrs. Hudson describes this step in the process as very important. “This gives the students a personal connection to the organization that they have supported with their time and their talents.” Senior Mary Catherine McElroy concurs. “It is great knowing that something we make in class for fun can be used for such a good cause.”
In describing the popularity and success of the Empty Bowls campaign, Mrs. Hudson says that students, teachers, and parents have been very supportive. “Our goal the first year was to raise $1800. We exceeded that goal. The second year we set our goal higher and exceeded that one as well.” This year, the students are hoping to raise more than $3000.
In addition to NAHS students working on the Empty Bowl campaign, many others on campus have gotten involved. The Marketing class has designed the posters to promote the event on campus, and many teachers have crafted bowls and filled them to enter for auction as well.
Parents and students are encouraged to participate in this year’s Empty Bowls event. The bowls crafted by teachers and students will be on display in the front hallway starting on Tuesday, January 21st. On Thursday, January 23rd the bowls will be filled with goodies and ready for auction. Participants are encouraged to see the bowls on display ahead of time to be ready for the big day.
On Friday morning, January 24th, the Empty Bowls Silent Auction will be held from 8am until noon. Bids can be placed next to each bowl.
Senior, Jamee Crowe, has participated in Empty Bowls since it began three years ago. She describes Empty Bowls as one of her favorite activities at school. “The best part, by far, is counting the total amount of money raised and knowing it is all going to help the needy and a fantastic organization.”