Hunger Pains

OK, this is a shameless plug for the Saturday event I have been working on for the past few months. Just in case you are a "local" and available to stop by and support it!

The second annual South Wood County Empty Bowls fundraiser will be held from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at First English Lutheran Church. Just because it is held at MY church doesn't mean it's a church event. Last year we held the first one there since my pastor was making a hundred of the bowls. After this year, we hope to outgrow that location!

Empty Bowls is actually an international grassroots movement to fight hunger.  At the event, participants receive a simple meal in exchange for a cash donation that is given to a local organization whose goal is to fight hunger.  Those who donate also receive a handcrafted pottery bowl, made by a local artisan, to take home to remind them of all the empty bowls around the world.

This community event will raise money to support South Wood Emergency Pantry Shelf (SWEPS), as well as other local organizations working to combat hunger. Last year, we gave away more than $2,000 to a handful of programs in our area. I felt blessed to be part of the process!

The cost for our event is $10 (for age 3 and up), which includes a bowl of soup, bread, dessert and beverage. The bowls are being donated by two local potters, Joe Clark and Pastor Josh Fite, as well as being made by Lincoln High School art class students. Many yummy soups are being donated by local restaurants and businesses. Bread is provided by Helen Ponzcoch of the famed Little Pink Restaurant.

After eating, participants will HOPEFULLY stop into our Raffle Basket Room! With some great effort by our subcommittee, we have at least 30 for people to try to win! We just finished assembling and wrapping those up Tuesday night. There are several I hope I win! Please stop by and give it a try, though!

If you want to learn more about it, visit the Empty Bowls website at www.swcemptybowls.com. If you want to be part of the Planning Committee for next year, let ME know. A lot goes into this. It sure helps to have extra hands.

Hope to see you Saturday. If not, please pray for our efforts and those who are feeling real hunger pains every day.

Somebody's bowl is always empty...