Empty Bowls Project combines artistic expression with helping the hungry

Volunteers are giving back to the community one bowl at a time with the fifth annual Empty Bowls Project banquets.

Linda Bohnsack, co-chairwoman of the banquets, said the Cape Girardeau chapter of the nationwide Empty Bowls Project charity is committed to feeding hungry individuals in Southeast Missouri. This year, proceeds from the banquets and a silent auction that ends today will be given to the Cape Girardeau Salvation Army for community meals.

"We want to remind people there are always empty bowls in our area for people that need food," Bohnsack said. "Basically, we want to feed the hungry."

The banquets will be from noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Salvation Army and from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 17, at Dearmont Hall on Southeast Missouri State University campus. The menu will consist of six types of soups -- sweet corn and clam chowder, potato, Italian wedding, vegetable beef, taco and vegetable -- served with artisan bread and desserts.

Diners will not only help feed the hungry, but also get to pick out a handmade, glazed bowl, specifically made for the banquets. The 650 bowls were crafted by volunteers in Cape Girardeau through the year.

Volunteers make the bowls by using the slab method of rolling out clay and draping it over a plaster form. Bohnsack said the bowls have various shapes, including round, square or even a star, depending on what plaster form is used.

The idea is to "use what creative impressions they have to make the bowls unique," she said.

The second Empty Bowls Project silent auction at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri and O'Tenem Gallery ends today. The auction invites bids on 30 bowls created by local artists. Last year the auction raised $900 for 30 bowls, which was all donated to local food pantries. This year proceeds raised from the auction will be combined with the earnings of the banquets to be given to the Salvation Army.

"They make great gifts," Bohnsack said. "It's the gift that keeps on giving because it is going to help feed somebody."

Bohnsack said the auction not only helps to spread awareness of the Empty Bowls Project but also endorses the arts.

"It's an artist-made bowl and another way to promote the arts in our area," she said.

Dr. Anne Marietta, an associate professor in the Department of Human Environmental Studies at Southeast and co-chairman of the banquets, said the banquets are primarily organized and put on by Southeast dietetic and hospitality management students. She said the students handle everything from decorations and advertising to planning and preparing the meal.

"It's an opportunity for them to see how a community can come together to help people in need," she said. "It's kind of breath taking actually."

Tina Dohogne, executive director of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and the Volunteer Intergenerational Center of Southeast Missouri, aides the Empty Bowls Project with finding the more than 400 community volunteers. She said finding volunteers for any aspect of the project is relatively easy.

"It is a fun, hands-on project that anyone would enjoy," Dohogne said.

Last year the Empty Bowls Project was able to give $8,500 to food pantries in the community, and this year, Bohnsack said she hopes to do more.

"Each year we've increased the number. Considering how economic times are, we feel very pleased that we've continued to grow at what we're able to do in order to give back to the community," she said.

Tickets for each banquet are $12 and can be prepurchased at the United Way of Southeast Missouri, the arts council, the Salvation Army, Garden Gallery, Burritoville or the Southeast Bookstore and may also be purchased at the door.