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Empty Bowls is an independently organized worldwide project established by the nonprofit Imagine/Render group. This project seeks to provide support for organizations that combat hunger while also promoting awareness about local hunger issues. Since its beginning as a high school arts project in Michigan in 1990, Empty Bowls events have raised millions of dollars toward ending hunger.
The basic premise of an Empty Bowls event is simple: guests are served soup in a handmade ceramic bowl in exchange for a cash donation to fight hunger. They are asked to keep their bowl as a reminder of the meal’s purpose. Every time they take the bowl from the cupboard, they will be reminded that someone’s bowl is always empty and that on that one occasion they helped alleviate hunger and could choose to do so again at any time.
The first Empty Bowls event in Morgantown was held in February 2007 at the First Presbyterian Church. The organizers quickly realized that if this event was going to expand and grow to its full potential, they were going to need the help of the entire community. In the summer of 2007, the nonprofit organization Empty Bowls Monongalia was formed.
During 2008, more local businesses and members of the community participated and we raised $10,000. In 2009, the luncheon event continued to grow with more than 900 tickets sold, 132 gallons of soup donated, and more than 50 volunteers working to make it successful. In that year, a total of $15,000 was raised. In 2010, we again grew to raise $16,000 and the funds were distributed to 12 food pantries and feeding programs in Monongalia County, serving over 2,800 families. Since our growth has necessitated a move to a larger venue, the event for 2011 was held at the Mylan Park Expo Center.
The first year, church groups made the soup and cookies; the second year we went countywide and ecumenical and had all food and services donated by local restaurants and businesses. Empty Bowls Monongalia is truly a community-wide effort. Funds raised help to feed the hungry by going directly to local food pantries and kitchens.
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