The total was announced during a check presentation today in the 3rd floor atrium of Marshall University’s Drinko Library.
“With this year’s earnings, we can now say Huntington Empty Bowls has given Facing Hunger Foodbank the purchasing power of more than 1.3 million meals since it began in 2003,” said Don Van Horn, dean of Marshall’s College of Arts and Media. “The incredible impact is the result of many, and that starts with our students, who contribute the vast majority of the bowls sold to generate the funding to support the Foodbank.”
Between Marshall ceramics students, Huntington Museum of Art contributions and local potters, more than 1,000 handcrafted bowls were sold April 15 during this year’s Empty Bowls. Each Empty Bowl sold for $15 and included a modest lunch. Each purchase also represented a 112.5-meal buying power (7.5 meals per dollar) to Facing Hunger Foodbank, according to Bethany Freeman, director of communications for Facing Hunger Foodbank.
“We have seen growth in our ability to stretch a dollar,” said Freeman. “Our conversion rate this year allows us to supply 7.5 meals for every $1 raised. Last year the buying power was only 6 meals for every $1.”
Speaking at the check presentation were Van Horn; Dr. Jerome Gilbert, president of the university; Diana Van Horn, director of the Cridlin Food and Clothing Pantry and Christian Associates representative; Frederick Bartolovic, assistant professor of Marshall’s ceramics program; and Cynthia Kirkhart, executive director of Facing Hunger Foodbank.
This year marked the first Huntington Empty Bowls for Gilbert. He volunteered for three hours at the event and purchased a bowl.
“I picked out a very beautiful green bowl, which I have on my desk at home,” Gilbert said. “Every time I see the bowl, I think of the Empty Bowls project and what a meaningful and valuable service it was to raise for our food pantry here in town.
“I want to commend the students at Marshall for utilizing such a creative way to give service to our community and help people in need and give them one of the necessities in life—nutrients and food. I think it’s a great tribute to the spirit of Marshall.”
Also on hand were students from the ceramics class, Monty Fulton of First Presbyterian Church, Sam Kincaid of B’nai Sholom Congregation and Beth Caruthers with Marshall’s University Communications.
Huntington’s Empty Bowls is made possible by Marshall University, Christian Associates, First Presbyterian Church, B’nai Sholom Congregation and the Huntington Museum of Art, as well as the donations received from local potters, restaurants, bakeries, churches, organizations and individuals.
A video of the event can be seen online at bit.ly/13thAnnualEmptyBowlsVideo. For more information about Huntington’s version of Empty Bowls, visit www.facebook.com/HuntingtonEmptyBowls.
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Photos: (Above) Assistant Professor of Ceramics Frederick Bartolovic unveiled the $17,000 ceremonial check from the 13th annual Empty Bowls event. (Below) Students, organizers and volunteers from the 13th annual Empty Bowls event presented a ceremonial check for the $17,000 proceeds to Cynthia Kirkhart, executive director of the Facing Hunger Foodbank (third from right).