Carving pumpkins, eating
bottomless soup and spending the afternoon with members of the community. This is how many people from the Stevens
Point area spent last Saturday afternoon when Stevens Point Area Senior High
hosted the 10th Anniversary of Empty Bowls.
“Everyone got to choose a wonderful bowl and take that
bowl home as a reminder that someone’s bowl is always empty. It really shows that the community is caring
for one another,” said Lauri Rockman, the treasurer of Empty Bowls.
Empty Bowls is a
fundraiser aimed to raise money for local hunger prevention efforts. For $11,
those who attended could choose and keep a bowl created by local potters,
community members and students.
These bowls could then
be filled with the soup provided, which was donated by 24 local restaurants for
the event.
“The tortilla soup was
the best, but there were so many varieties; it was excellent,” said Phil Barker,
a junior computer information systems major that attended the event.
“My favorite part of
this event is that it really fosters awareness of hunger issues and that it
involves the whole community. Families and individuals from all age groups are
here,” Rockman said.
The funds raised from the event go to many programs of
the Portage County Hunger and Poverty Prevention Partnership, which include the
Portage County food pantry, community gardens, and grants to local
organizations that directly address hunger issues.
“The event is really
family oriented. Kids can have fun and
the adults can give back to the community,” Rockman said.
Empty Bowls drew in
about 60 volunteers to provide an enjoyable experience for all age groups. The
event provided entertainment for kids which included pumpkin decorating and
special appearances by SpongeBob, Snow White and Batman.
“It was my first year
attending and I will be returning in future years,” Barker said.