On April 16, residents will be able to join the fight against hunger by attending the Kew Gardens Empty Bowls event at Austin’s Ale House.
Attendees purchase a ceramic bowl and enjoy a simple meal of soup and bread. Each $20 donation will help feed a family in need.
“It brings people together, strengthens our community and celebrates the talented artists at The Potter's Wheel and the beautiful ceramic bowls they've created and donated,” said Carol Lacks.
There are hundreds of Empty Bowls events held around the world annually. The initiative started in 1990 when a high school art teacher in Michigan, John Hartom, helped his students find a creative way to support a food drive.
Since 1990, Empty Bowls events have raised tens of millions of dollars for organizations fighting hunger, in addition to raising public awareness.
Volunteers hosted the first Kew Gardens Empty Bowls event in 2012. Since then, they have raised over $20,000.
Each Kew Gardens Empty Bowls event has focused on a particular theme, including a fundraiser to honor the victims of Hurricane Sandy and a Thanksgiving event to donate turkeys to families in need.
Last year, enough money was raised to fill over 250 shopping bags with enough groceries to last a family of five for one week.