Burns Pottery is pleased to announce the second biannual Empty Bowls event.

The Empty Bowls Project is an ongoing international effort designed to help fight hunger in our communities.

The premise of this event is simple. Participants create and donate hundreds of ceramic bowls.

Organizers then choose a day where a simple meal of soup and bread will be served. Upon arrival, guests get to choose a bowl to use and then take home as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world.

All proceeds from the event will go directly to the Natchez Community Stewpot.

Every day, Louis Gunning and others at the Stewpot work hard to serve over 300 meals to those in need.

This dedicated group of people, most of whom volunteer, deliver nearly 200 of these meals to those incapable of getting their on their own.

The effort of all involved in making this organization work is something to be highly commended.

The food and supplies required are nonperishable and come from a variety of sources, including the U.S. food network and canned food drives headed by schools, organizations, local businesses and individuals.

Essential monetary and food donations help to keep the cost of each meal around 50 cents. The Stewpot’s effort in this fight to end hunger is continuous.

We can all help by offering support to those in our community faced with the challenge of attaining an uncertain meal.

We at Burns Pottery are extremely excited to be holding the Empty Bowls event again.

The response we received in September 2005 was incredible, and we are more than pleased to do our part in this effort.

The generous donation of bowls by local potters and studio members continues to warm the hearts and stomachs of so many.

So please come, choose a bowl and eat with us. If you’d like take-outs, they are available.

The event will take place at Burns Pottery on Sunday, Feb. 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are $25 and will be available for purchase in the gallery of Burns Pottery starting on Jan. 27.

The gallery is open every Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m., and anytime by appointment.

If you have further questions regarding Burns Pottery or the Empty Bowls event, please call 601-446-6334.

The overwhelming need to fight hunger in our communities is apparent. We hope you will join us in our effort to assist an organization that has helped so many people throughout the years.

The people of the Stewpot put forth the effort every day of their lives; so please join us in making those days a little bit easier.

The power to change starts at home.

Lindsay Rogers is artist in residence at Burns Pottery.