(Posted March 31, 2014)

Two students pose with bowls at last year's event.
Two students pose with bowls at last year's event.

HUNTINGDON, PA. -- The Juniata College art department enlisted three faculty artists and dozens of students to create hundreds of bowls for hungry diners for its eighth annual Empty Bowls event, which raises money to benefit various Huntingdon County food banks, at 5 p.m. Friday, April 11 in the Stone Church of the Brethren in Huntingdon.

The Empty Bowls dinner, a grassroots effort that has spread to colleges, cities, and towns nationwide, is in the basement of the Stone Church of the Brethren.

Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $6 for children from ages 5 to 10. Children under age 5 are admitted free. Tickets are available at Unity House, where the campus ministry office is located, at at Ellis Hall from 5:30 to 7 p.m., April 4, 9 and 10.

Patrons of the event who have paid the adult price will get not only soup and bread, but also a hand-made ceramic soup bowl from the college's renowned pottery program.
In addition, patrons of the dinner can purchase a commemorative T-shirt for $10 as part of the fundraising effort.

"Empty Bowls allows us to reflect upon the need for hunger awareness in our own community," says Bethany Benson, associate professor of art and coordinator for the event. "Neighbors, friends, and community members may be touched by this event, and then rinse their bowls to take home as a daily reminder of how fortunate they are, as well as the need that is present in our immediate community."

Empty Bowls, is a nationwide event designed to focus attention on world hunger. ���The dinner will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from the dinner for many different local food banks.

The event is sponsored by The Mud Junkies, the college's ceramics club, the Art Alliance, PAX-O, the college's peace studies club, and the Catholic Council.

Juniata students and about a dozen community members also made the more than 400 bowls needed for the event.

A variety of soups and breads will be available for the event, provided by a wide variety of local restaurants. In the past some of the restaurants donating the soups included: Hoss's, Memories, Donna's, Standing Stone Coffee Company, Boxers, Diner 22, and Sodexo Campus Services Division, the food service provider for Juniata College. Other businesses have donated services or supplies.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.