Empty Bowls: The Arts, Culinary and Otherwise, for a Good Cause

Every spring, the Wynne Home sponsors “Empty Bowls,” a program that manages to promote ceramics, the culinary arts, and to fight hunger–all in the same event. This year, the event–organized by Angela Robinson–was particularly successful, with a record number of attendees and a lot of fun! And for approximately the 15th year in a row, the LEAP Ambassadors were there to help.

The primary purpose of the event is to raise funds to fight food insecurity. The program, which is international in scope, is administered fully by local communities, and in Walker County, the program is administered by the Wynne Home, and the funds raised go to the “Meals on Wheels” program at the Senior Center.

Wynne Home staff reach out to businesses and other organizations to donate soup while HEB also offers finger foods, giving “customers” many food options. This year, soups were donated by Sam’s Table, City Hall Cafe, Huntsville High School, Fives Loaves Deli and Potato Shack.

Each customer, then, buys a lunch for a suggested donation of $15, and these funds are then donated to the Senior Center.

If this is all there was, it would still be a worthwhile program, but there is much more to it. Throughout the year, ceramicists offer training courses, helping local residents shape and glaze materials into pottery. Some locals reserve their pottery, which means they can pick it up on (or around) the Empty Bowls date, while others donate their product to the event.

Then, as “customers” purchase soup at Empty Bowls, they receive one of the pieces of pottery, not only as a work of art to keep, but also as a reminder that some people face empty bowls every day.

Those with the most skill at crafting bowls–many of SHSU Professor Lauren Clay’s students, for example–donate their bowls for silent auction, which raises additional funds.

Beyond the record crowds this year, much fun was involved. People enjoyed the decor in the wonderful Wynne Home as well as the art from the latest exhibit featuring the work of Mary Ann Vaca-Lambert.

Aron Kulhavy, the City Manager, was in attendance…

…and his fun-loving staff were sure to pick out a bowl for him.

Speaking of his staff, they were, as usual, hard at work, while being surrounded by all their friends and supporters.

For everyone else, the companionship and satisfaction of joining a good cause was enjoyable…

…as it was for the LEAP Ambassadors.

Congratulations to the Senior Center, and many thanks to the Wynne Home for strengthening our Huntsville community through this noble cause!