“Empty Bowls” Fills Up

By Chris Seeman
On February 2, the Saline community united to end hunger through an evening of soup, music, and art.

It is a sad fact that hunger is one of the most prevalent issues affecting our country. Many people come home at night without enough food to carry them through the week. But the 2nd Annual Empty Bowls Project at Saline High School generated thousands of dollars in donations to help change that.

The event supports the local organization Food Gatherers, which operates a large community kitchen in Washtenaw County and directs donations of food to several individuals and organizations.

Attendees of the event were treated to an evening that many students from across the district, especially here at Saline High, helped prepare. Students from across the district’s art department created ceramic bowls that each guest could take home. So many bowls were contributed that by the end of the evening, guests were encouraged to take multiple bowls home with them.

“Celebrity bowls” crafted by a variety of community members including Fire Chief Craig Hoeft and School Board member Lisa Slawson were auctioned off as the evening progressed.

To fill the bowls, the Culinary Arts Department crafted a medley of soups and mouth-watering desserts for the evening. Saline High’s Jazz Band, alongside director Nate Lampman, provided music for the evening.

Betsy DiMaggio, a local resident of Saline, was responsible for putting together the event.

“A friend of mine went to an event in Connecticut and told me what a wonderful project it was, and I was inspired to bring it to the Saline Schools District,” said DiMaggio on her inspiration to bring the event to Saline.

The first Empty Bowls event was held on February 3, 2011 and was considered an incredible success. But this year may have been even more successful. 600 tickets were available for the event, with advanced rates of $10 for an individual and $30 for a family. All 600 tickets sold out in advance.

“I think it shows that the community has come together and recognized that there is a great need in Washtenaw County to fight hunger,” said DiMaggio, “It creates a nice way of coming together.”

World hunger may not end in the near future, but the success of Empty Bowls shows a willingness to help--one bowl at a time.

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