Students in the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Art Department ceramics classes and in the Students Organized For Art (S.O.F.A.) student organization donated their time and talents to create nearly 70 handcrafted bowls for the Empty Bowls fundraiser on Wednesday, Nov. 19.
Empty Bowls is an international effort to fight hunger and food insecurity, which relies on donated handcrafted bowls. Participants are invited to share a simple meal of soup and bread in exchange for a cash donation.
“Empty Bowls is an important fundraiser because it brings awareness to a worldwide issue that is present in our community,” Danielle Jones, Diversity and Inclusion Programs adviser, said. “Food insecurity affects about 12 percent of Wisconsin families, and we have the opportunity to make a difference.”
Participants select a bowl, which is meant to serve as a reminder of all of the empty bowls around the world. The money raised is donated toward working to end hunger and food insecurity.
Students in Professor Craig Clifford’s Ceramics I and II classes each make one to five bowls to donate to the Empty Bowl fundraiser.
“It’s important for both myself and the students to give back, and for the University to be part of the overall larger community,” Clifford said. “Plus the fundraiser gives a purpose to what the students are making.”
Students from around campus were also invited to make bowls during a S.O.F.A. meeting, which invited students from all majors to make bowls.
Learn more about the Students Organized for Art (S.O.F.A) student organization:
“It’s an opportunity to give our time and talents to help people who don’t have the resources to fulfill their basic needs,” Brian Felten, a senior art education and 2D studio art student, said.
The Empty Bowls fundraiser on Wednesday, Nov. 19 will take place in the Titan Underground from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.
“The most important thing about ‘Empty Bowls’ to me is that all of the money raised stays in Oshkosh to help fight hunger,” Clifford said.
“The money raised will go to the Oshkosh Area Community Food Pantry,” Jones said. “For each dollar raised, they can provide five pounds of food for a local family in need.”
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