EMPTY BOWLS
Lewisburg students fight back against hunger
At Lewisburg High School, the Empty Bowls Project uses ceramic arts to fight hunger in DeSoto County. Organized and run by the LHS Interact Club, students, potters and artisans donate hand crafted bowls. Guests select one of the bowls and are served soup and bread, donated by local sponsors. They take home their bowl as a reminder of how many go empty around the world.
“The Empty Bowls Project is a community effort,” said Terry Boler, sponsor for the LHS Interact Club. “It involves all students who want to participate and it feeds the hungry. An amazing effort on many levels, it is totally student led. Our students take ownership and learn about leading, organizing, and serving.”
Boler said proceeds from the effort are split between the Interfaith and Olive Branch Food Pantries. Last year, both organizations were thrilled when the Interact Club presented them with a check for $12,000. The event is sponsored by community businesses leaders who provide soup, supplies and monetary contributions.
“Junior’s in Hernando is making 20 gallons of soup. Abbay’s, McAlister’s, Chili’s, the Homer Skelton Foundation, have all made contributions.This event really brings our community together,” Boler said. “Southaven High and Olive Branch High’s art departments have also contributed bowls.”
While most of the bowls are made by the students in LHS art classes, any student can come to Art Teacher Eric Beavers’ classroom and make a bowl. Students use their lunch hours and time after school to make clay bowls, each one being an original article. Beavers has a large kiln in his classroom and helps students fire their clay to make a functional piece of art that is dishwasher safe.
CJ McCreary joined the Interact Club last year and has made more than 40 bowls.
“I had never tried anything like this before, and I learned art class was a fun place to hang out and work,” he said.
“CJ has helped so much with this program doing whatever needs to be done from washing dishes to moving tables,” Boler said. “I know I can count on him.”
Cameron Sweeney said she gets enjoyment on this year-long project knowing it will go toward helping other people.
“It is just good to be a part of this group,” Cameron said. “All aspects of this project are rewarding.”
To purchase a ticket for the event, email terry.boler@dcsms.org. The cost is $20 per ticket if purchased in advance or $25 at the door. Children’s tickets may be purchased at the door for $5, but a ceramic bowl will not be included. The event is March 2 at Lewisburg High School from 5-8 p.m.
“In the past, we have run out of tickets during the week of the event, so I encourage people to plan ahead,” Boler added. For the past two years, more than 700 people have attended.
“We have never run out of soup, but we have run out of bowls,” she said. “They are really beautiful. We still have a good supply at present.”