QUEENS — Kew Gardens artists and residents are teaming up to fight hunger in their community and beyond at an annual event next month.
During the Empty Bowls anti-hunger fundraising which will be held on March 8, residents will pay a $15 donation that will allow them to pick up an empty hand-crafted bowl, fill it with soup and learn about the issue, the organizers said.
The bowls for the event were donated by potters from the Potter's Wheel, a local pottery studio. About 40 of them were painted by residents during the annual Kew Gardens Community Arts Day last fall.
"Imagine friends and neighbors sitting around communal tables sharing a simple meal of soup and bread in ceramic bowls that were created by local potters and community artists at The Potter's Wheel," the organizers wrote in an email sent out to local residents.
All proceeds from the event, which will be held at Austin's Ale House, will be donated to charities helping the hungry, including The River Fund, a food pantry on Lefferts Boulevard in Richmond Hill.
(Credit: Courtesy of Carol Lacks)
Austin Ale House will donate two types of soup, which will be served with bread and water, the organizers said.
During the meal, there will also be live music and The River Fund will make a presentation about what they do.
“People will learn a lot about hunger in America during that time and ... when they are finished with their soup they can think about all the empty bowls in the world," said Carol Lacks, a Kew Gardens activist who co-organizes the event with Grace Anker, the owner of The Potter's Wheel.
Since the event was first organized in the neighborhood four years ago, about 300 local residents participated in it, collecting about $8,000, the organizers said.
The Kew Gardens Empty Bowls Event will take place on Tuesday, March 8 at Austin’s Ale House, at 82-70 Austin St. There will be three seating times to choose from: 3-4:30 p.m., 5-6:30 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m. There is $15 donation per bowl. To get more information about the event call 917-881-3358.
