Wittenberg University’s Annual Empty Bowls Event celebrated its 21st year on March 19 by raising a record $47,393 for Second Harvest Food Bank and selling out of 1,025 bowls within the first hour.
The event smashed the previous fundraising record by almost $2,000, equating to 189,572 meals for those in need.
Scott Dooley, professor of art and department chair, said that during difficult economic times, many organizations have been forced to cut funding, “but we have been able increase totals during this year period! I am continually amazed by Wittenberg and the Springfield community.”
Second Harvest Food Bank is responsible for supplying food and resources to those in need throughout Clark, Logan and Champaign counties. Anna Plataniotis, community engagement supervisor for Catholic Social Charities, handled the event’s publicity and secured sponsorship of local businesses and individuals.
Participants of Empty Bowls paid $15 and chose from a selection of handmade ceramic bowls to fill with soup and bread. The charity is unique in that it is virtually a 100% profit fundraiser, with almost all of the labor, time, food and materials donated.
Hand-thrown and hand-trimmed, the bowls are made throughout the year by students, faculty/staff and community members who donate their time and expertise.
To make the event a reality, the Department of Art partnered with Catholic Social Charities as well as many volunteers and sponsors such as Sodexo and Student Senate’s Build a Better Wittenberg.
“Bowl-throwers” for the 2014-2015 event included: Amy Henry, Susan Finster, Alisa Mizikar, Scott Dooley, James Dumstorf, Lynn Riewerts-Carine, Christine Steinhaus, Leslie Morris, Kelly Harrod, Arianna Hamilton, Kiersten Kuntz, Barbara Jeffers, Alena Mohler, Carol Culbertson, Hannah Fournier, Jeremy Block, Zoey Wilson, Charlotte Gordon, Naysan McIlhargey, Armon Murray, Charlie Davis, Maggie Quigley, Ellen Washington and Lauren Instenes.
In addition, a number of local artists donated their own works for the raffle: Jeremy Block, Alisa Mizikar, Leslie Morris, Mel Marsh, Susan Finster, Vicki Rulli and Tom Heaphey (Itinerant Studio) and Scott Dooley.
Since it began at Wittenberg, Empty Bowls has raised $361,893 for charity equating to 1,447,572 meals for those in need within Clark, Champaign and Logan counties.
