Using art to raise funds and awareness for hunger relief

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Abstract

An Empty Bowls event can raise funds to support organizations that provide hunger relief while educating attendees about the social issues related to hunger, poverty, and homelessness. Fundraisers also provide a venue for local artists to display their crafts. This effective practice was shared at the AmeriCorps*VISTA Faith-Based and Community Organization Conference at the University of Indianapolis, August 20-22, 2001.

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Issue

Hunger remains a problem for countless numbers of people in the United States and throughout the world.

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Action

  • Participants create ceramic bowls, in which to serve a simple meal of soup and bread. Bowls are often made and donated by local art and craft guilds, school art departments, and other community groups.
  • Guests choose a bowl to use that day and to keep as a reminder that there are always Empty Bowls in the world.
  • In exchange for a meal and the bowl, the guest gives a suggested minimum donation.
  • The money collected is donated to local, national, or international hunger relief efforts.
  • Some events have auctioned off bowls decorated by celebrities of both local and international status.

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Context

In 1990 high school art teacher, John Hartom and his wife, Lisa Blackburn, of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, helped his students develop a way to raise funds to support a food drive. What evolved was a class project to make ceramic bowls for a fund raising meal. Guests were served a meal of soup and bread and were invited to keep the bowl as a reminder of hunger in the world.

The Imagine/RENDER Group strives to create positive and lasting social change through the arts, education and projects that build community.

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Outcome

The Empty Bowls project helps provide support and awareness for food banks, soup kitchens, and other organizations that fight hunger. The Imagine/RENDER Group, a 501(c)3 organization, was created to promote the project. Since then Empty Bowls events have been held throughout the country, interest for the project has grown internationally, and millions of dollars have been raised to combat hunger.

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Posted On

August 21, 2001

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For More Information

Empty Bowls and Imagine/RENDER
P.O. Box 1689
Burnsville, NC 28714

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Related Practices

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Related sites

Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest)

Oxfam

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