Annual event raises money for Huntington food bank

The seventh annual Empty Bowls fundraiser took place Friday at the First Presbyterian Church on Fifth Avenue.

Empty Bowls gave the community a chance to see what students from the Marshall University Keramos Potters Guild made this year.  Individuals purchased a handcrafted bowl and eat a bowl of soup.  All the proceeds went to the Huntington Area Food bank. 

The bowls are hand crafted mostly by students in the Keramos Potters Guild, but local potters also make some.  The goal was to make at least 1000 bowls, which were created by 12 students.

"Without the public this event would not work," said Tommy Warf, president of the Keramos Potters Guild. "Over the years, we have gotten so much support from our community. The main thing they could to help was attend the event, unless they are a potter, then we can always use more bowls."

Approximately 91,000 people in the Tri-State area are struggling to put food on the table. According to the Huntington Area Food Bank's Web site.

"Empty Bowls for me is a bitter sweet event each year because one student by the name of Linda Walker, a leader in getting Empty Bowls started at Marshall," Warf said.  "Linda died a few years ago after a battle with breast cancer.  For me, I strive to make empty bowls a success in her memory."

Over 10,000 bowls were sold by the end of Friday. The official number is still being calculated.

"I sincerely hope this event continues to grow in Huntington and the Tri-State area for the next 25 to 50 years," said Jon Rickey, executive director of the Huntington Area Food Bank.  "It's a blessing to the food bank and to have the on-going support of Marshall University and various community leaders.  It is difficult for me to express the blessing into words.  We are so thankful."

Rikey said the public really appreciates attending this type of event especially when the proceeds raised are being utilized to help feed hungry people.

The public can donate money to the food bank. For every $1 donated, the organization is able to distribute seven pounds of food to their pantries. The public can also donate their time to volunteer labor at the food bank.

John Yeingst can be contacted at yeingst@marshall.edu.