Philip Newman
For the fifth consecutive year those who dine from full bowls in Kew Gardens can spend an evening helping those whose daily bread is less certain.
Those attending the Empty Bowls event at Austin’s Ale House, 82-70 Austin St., Wednesday in Kew Gardens will have their choice of seatings from 5:30 .p.m. to 7 p.m. or 7:30 to 9 p.m.
Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis with cash or credit card accepted. Online reservations can be made at www.potte
Adults and children will once again choose their bowls to enjoy a simple soup and bread meal and take home their bowl and know that each $20 donation will help feed a family in need.
Not only will patrons have a big choice of bowls from which to choose, but the program includes live entertainment, a raffle “and a chance to make a difference in the lives of families.”
How did this event evolve?
In 1990 John Hartom, a high school art teacher in Michigan, urged his students to find a creative way to raise money to support a food drive. The class undertook a project to make ceramic bowls for a fund-raising meal.
Since then the idea has spread across the United States to Canada, New Zealand, Germany, Finland, England and Hong Kong and requests for the fund-raising method have come from more than 100 countries.
— Philip Newman
