Empty Bowls continues mission to raise hunger awareness
Submitted photo
An event to raise awareness of hunger in Fayette County is looking to grow after a drop off in attendance since the pandemic.
Empty Bowls, which benefits the Fayette County Community Action Food Bank, will take place on Sunday.
“It went well last year, it was a nice turnout,” said Lora Thresher, project manager of the retired senior volunteer program at FCCAA.
But, she said, the number of people attending has waned since Empty Bowls took a two-year hiatus in 2020 and 2021.
Last year, between 200 and 250 attended, while before the pandemic an average of 400 people supported the long running event each year,
“We’re trying to get the community to be aware we’re back up and trying to get back to where it was before COVID,” Thresher said.
Participants receive a take-out container of soup in hand-crafted ceramic bowls donated by the New Meadow Run/Spring Valley Bruderhof Communities, Uniontown Area School District, PennWest California, Touchstone Center for Crafts and Geibel Catholic Junior-Senior High School.
The soup is donated from local restaurants along with bread and a bottle of water.
The modest meal is meant to remind those who come that there are others in the community who struggle to put food on the table.
Along with the food, there will also be raffle baskets donated by local businesses and individuals. Thresher said the baskets have a little bit of everything for everyone.
Empty Bowls will be held at Venue 67, 67 Connellsville St. in Uniontown.
“We grew out of the senior center, and (Venue 67) was being donated to us, so we’re taking advantage of that,” Thresher said.
Empty Bowls will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Sunday.
Tickets are on sale for $20 at the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, Fayette County Community Action Agency, Fayette County Food Bank or online at www.fccaa.org. They can also be purchased at the door the day of the event for $25.
Thresher said basket or monetary donations will be accepted through today, with those who give receiving an acknowledgement in the event book. Monetary donations will also be accepted on Sunday.
To donate or for more information, call 724-437-6050 ext. 4276 or email lthresher@fccaa.org.