Empty Bowls Dinner Promotes Hunger Awareness
Tickets on Sale Now at Franklin Food Pantry
FRANKLIN, Ma. – The Franklin Food Pantry and the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club have joined forces to co-host the 1st Annual Empty Bowls Dinner on Wednesday, April 27 from 6 – 8 p.m. in the Franklin High School cafeteria. The event, which includes a simple meal of soup and bread, is meant to remind guests of the many “empty bowls” that exist in the lives of those who experience hunger.
Attendees will choose a hand-painted, ceramic bowl to take home as a reminder that “somewhere, someone’s bowl is empty.” A silent auction will feature select pieces that have been created and painted by members of the FHS Empty Bowls Club, and local youth, adult and corporate groups. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Franklin Food Pantry and will be used to fight hunger locally.
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| Local teenagers paint bowls to be used in the 1st Annual Empty Bowls Dinner at Franklin High School on April 27. Pictured, left to right, are Katie Aiken and Julia Buccella of Franklin; and Sophia Oliveras of Woonsocket, RI. |
“The Empty Bowls Dinner will bring together members of our community who are working together to fight hunger,” says Erin Lynch, executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry. “We hope it will be a powerful reminder of the many people who struggle to put enough food on the table. We are thrilled to partner with the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club to address the vital issue of hunger. We look forward to attracting all ages at this family-friendly event.”
Students in the Empty Bowls Club have been making ceramic bowls throughout the year to be used at the dinner. “Our students are excited to be part of such a meaningful effort,” said Brenna Johnson, FHS art teacher and instructor for the Empty Bowls Club. “It is rewarding for them to use their creativity to contribute to such a worthy cause. The true impact of their hard work will be felt on the night of our big event.”
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| These ceramic bowls, made by students in the Empty Bowls Club at Franklin High School, will be given to guests at the 1st Annual Empty Bowls Dinner on April 27 at Franklin High School. The fundraiser and hunger awareness event is co-sponsored by the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club and the Franklin Food Pantry. Tickets must be bought in advance and can be purchased at the Franklin Food Pantry. |
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| This bowl will be included in the Silent Auction at the 1st Annual Empty Bowls Dinner at Franklin High School on April 25. |
Tickets must be bought in advance and can be purchased at the Franklin Food Pantry. Seating is limited so tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost is $20 for adults and $10 for children and students. Payment must be made in cash or checks payable to the Franklin Food Pantry. The Pantry will hold “Box Office Hours” to sell tickets at its 43 W. Central Street location (on Route 140 across from the Franklin Fire Station) during the following times:
March 31, 5-7 pm
April 4, 11 am – 1 pm
April 5, 4 – 6 pm
April 7, 5 – 7 pm
April 11, 11 am – 1 pm
April 12, 4 – 6 pm
April 14, 5 – 7 pm
April 19, 4 – 6 pm
April 21, 5 – 7 pm
Empty Bowls is an international grass roots effort to fight hunger and raise funds to support local pantries. The Franklin Food Pantry and the FHS Empty Bowls Club work together to support the cause locally. The ceramic bowls are created throughout the year by the Empty Bowls Club and various corporate and community groups organized by the Pantry through its Empty Bowls Project. For more information on the dinner, or to arrange for your group to hold an Empty Bowls Project, visit www.franklinfoodpantry.org or call 508-528-3115.
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About the Franklin High School Empty Bowls Club
Franklin High School is participating in an international charity project called Empty Bowls, which supports hungry people in our local communities. The first part of this project is to make ceramic bowls with students, faculty, district K-12 art teachers, and the Franklin community. Then, the Empty Bowls Club and The Franklin Food Pantry will co-host a community meal of soup and bread. All funds raised at this event will be donated directly to the Franklin Food Pantry. The Franklin Education Foundation (FEF) has made the Empty Bowls Club and community meal possible through their 2015-2016 grant program.
About the Franklin Food Pantry
The Franklin Food Pantry offers supplemental food assistance and household necessities once a month to eligible households. Bread and fresh produce is available daily for clients. As a nonprofit organization, the Pantry depends entirely on donations, and receives no town or state funding. Other programs include a Mobile Pantry, Cooking Matters classes, a Healthy Futures Market, emergency food bags and holiday meal packages. The Pantry is located at 43 W. Central St. in Franklin on Route 140 across from the Franklin Fire Station.
