“Empty Bowls” gives back to the community

Wednesday, November 28, PLU artists, chefs and gardeners will come together to give back in the fourth annual “Empty Bowls” event. PLU and the greater community are invited to purchase a bowl of soup from 4-6pm in the Anderson University Center. Costing $10 per meal, 100 percent of proceeds will benefit local food banks.

More than a dozen students have crafted bowls to donate to the project. Students in the community garden have spent the past season planting, growing, and then harvesting vegetables for the event. The kitchen will take the produce the garden harvests, spice it, and create a tasty soup. Guests are asked to keep their handmade bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world.

Mackenzie Carlson ’14 is one of three students who have been tasked with organizing the event this year.

“The event falls near Thanksgiving, very much on purpose. The goal of the event is not only to raise money for those in need, but also to encourage appreciation for the things we have in life,” Carlson says. “It is all about being thankful for what we have.”

To purchase this handmade meal, “Empty Bowls” tickets can be purchased in advance at Old Main Market with Dining Dollars, debit/credit or cash. Tickets will be available for purchase starting November 26 and will then be redeemed on November 28 between 4 and 6pm. This year a little more than 100 bowls are available. PLU Art Instructor Steve Sobeck, a recognized artist in Puget Sound, made about twenty of those. When the bowls are gone, they’re gone.

In the past PLU has donated to local food banks, which have included Trinity Lutheran Church in Parkland and Fish Food Banks of Pierce County. Now in its fourth year, the project has donated close to $2,500, and looks forward to continuing for years to come. “Empty Bowls” is an international grassroots effort to fight hunger. Any group that deals with feeding the hungry can be the recipient of the donation. For more information go to www.emptybowls.net.