Springfield, Ohio – A community tradition continues on Thursday, March 21, as Wittenberg University hosts its 19th annual Empty Bowls event to raise much-needed funds for local food banks. Hosted by Wittenberg’s Department of Art and Catholic Social Charities, with support from local sponsors and donors, Empty Bowls is scheduled for 4:30-7:30 p.m. in the Center Dining Room (CDR) on the second floor of the Benham-Pence Student Center.

The price of the bowl and dinner remains at $15 per person, which entitles participants to a hand-crafted bowl for soup and access to a soup, salad and bread buffet. The fundraising goal for the 2012 event is $38,000 after the 2012 event raised more than $36,500.

"This is truly a community event that brings in many people from Springfield, and it has become an important fundraising event for Second Harvest Food Bank as they work to provide for so many people in our community," said Professor of Art and Department Chair Scott Dooley, who has managed the university’s role in hosting the event since coming to campus in 2000.

Proceeds from the event go to Second Harvest Food Bank, which provides food supplies to the poor and homeless throughout Clark, Champaign and Logan Counties. Anna Plataniotis, events coordinator for Catholic Social Services/Second Harvest Food Bank, publicizes the event in the community and helps with food donations and meets with local sponsors.

The 2012-13 Empty Bowls student coordinator is Jacob Kuntz, class of 2014 from Versailles, Ky. He is an art major with a concentration in ceramics at Wittenberg.

This event would not be possible without support from a wide range of sponsors, led by Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church, which was designated a Golden Spoon Sponsor for its level of commitment. Major Event Sponsors for the 2013 event include Dr. Dana and Judy King, Madison Avenue Pharmacy, Harry N. Chakeres, Villa Springfield Health and Rehabilitation Center, Wallace & Turner/Patrick Field, The Union Club, Sodexo and Wittenberg Student Senate – Build a Better Wittenberg.

VIP Sponsors include Assurant, ESSEX of Springfield, Rollins Moving & Storage, Speedway LLC, Mary Alice and Steve Neely, Ladies Philoptochos Society, Betsy and James Dean, Rick Nedelman and Lori Thomas, Home City Federal Savings Bank, Mary Jo Groves and Rob Baker. Soup Sponsors include Sodexo Catering Service, Bob Evans Farm, Linardo’s Villa, Mela Urban Bistro, Los Mariachis, Seasons Bistro Bar & Grille and Buckeye Sports Lodge.

Salad and bread donated by Dole Foods and Klosterman’s Bakery. Promotional posters were designed by Max Fleischman, class of 2013 from Yellow Springs, Ohio, who is majoring in art with a concentration in graphic design.

Bowls are thrown using a pottery wheel and then trimmed, fired and glazed throughout the year. More than 1,000 bowls have been prepared for the 2013 event by volunteers, including students, faculty and staff members, and Springfield community members.

T-shirts designed by Eliza Waggoner, Wittenberg class of 2008, will be available for purchase and a silent auction will take place again this year. As always, each bowl will be washed by a volunteer before taken home, a reminder that every night someone’s bowl is empty and many people go hungry each day in this country. Many years the bowls sell out – if this happens, patrons may enjoy a meal at a reduced price using disposable bowls.

Rainbow Table 1 soup kitchen will share any leftover food items from the event the next day.

Free parking is available in the lots behind Krieg Hall and the Benham-Pence Student Center, and both have entrances off West Ward Street.

Written By: Ryan Maurer