Empty bowls is an international grassroots effort to fight hunger. It was the vision of an art teacher, John Harton, in 1990 when he joined a drive to raise charitable funds in his Michigan community. His idea was to give artists and students a way to make a difference. Harton’s students made ceramic bowls in the high school art classes. From this collected effort developed Empty Bowls.

Each event is independent and is organized to fit the needs of the specific community. All such events are called Empty Bowls to help spread the idea and to raise awareness of hunger in the community, country and world.

The Natchez Clay Empty Bowls project was envisioned six years ago. Over $30,000 have been raised in the three previous biennial events. One hundred percent of the proceeds goes to the Natchez Community Stewpot which feeds more than 200 people a day, 352 days a year.

Potters and students from Natchez Clay and the Natchez Community donate bowls of all sizes, shapes and colors. Talented cooks donate the gumbo to fill the bowls. The meal is simple as a reminder of the meals so many have each day.

From 11 to 1 p.m. Feb. 13, friends and family will gather to select a bowl and have it filled with soup. Take-out containers will be available.

The bowl is yours to keep as a reminder of all whose bowls are empty each day. A limited number of tickets is available and can be purchased at AnRuss salon, Bass Pecan and Natchez Coffee Company.

Suggested ticket price is $25. The event is at Natchez Clay, 101 Clifton Ave.

How grateful we are to be a part of our Natchez community where so many volunteers give of their time and talent making all events possible.

A community is only as strong as its citizens who come together and work together to meet the needs of all the people.

“Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in.” — Author unknown

Edna Ferguson is a co-creator of the Natchez Empty Bowls project.