(Photos provided)

Students at Grace College are currently prepping for the second annual Empty Bowls campaign, a community grass-roots event that has taken on the fight against hunger and awareness within Kosciusko County.

According to student and organizer Sam Erwin, the event allows for students at Grace, as well as local elementary schools, to partner with community organizations and businesses to create a difference and fight hunger within the county.

Erwin noted students in the art integration class have worked over an 8-week time frame to create approximately 400 ceramic, hand glazed and painted bowls. An additional 50 bowls are expected to be created before the event.

Erwin also stated though students at Grace are responsible for creation and glazing, the bowls are also being painted by area elementary students also striving to help the cause.

The bowls will be available for donations to help the hungry in Kosciusko County from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at the Village of Winona’s pavilion. Erwin stated that though there is no set cost to for the bowls, a suggested $20 donation for adults, or $5 for children, will give guests not only a bowl, but soup served in a separate container and a bottle of water. Music will be supplied by area musicians and all proceeds raised will pay the cost of the event and will benefit local charities and food pantries.

Erwin noted that last year, over $5,000 was raised with the Empty Bowls Project to support area charities. Those with questions or contributions are directed to contact Cindy Bryan at [email protected]. Though organizers suggest a donation of $20 for adults and $5 for kids, whatever you can contribute would be sincerely appreciated.