The Art League of Ocean City is joining forces with First Shore Federal Bank and Diakonia to fight hunger this winter with their 3rd Annual Empty Bowl Project. Sponsored by First Shore Federal Bank, hosted by the Art League of Ocean City, and set to benefit our local shelter, Diakonia, the Empty Bowl Project provides a unique opportunity for the community to band together to bring awareness to hunger on both the local and international level. Locally, volunteers will have opportunities over the next two months to stop by the ALOC to make pottery bowls for the annual Empty Bowl Dinner, to be held on March 19 at the Arts Center.
What is the Empty Bowl Project?
The Empty Bowl Project is an international grassroots effort to fight hunger while utilizing art to raise awareness. Across the world, communities participate in the movement to end hunger; in fact, the Empty Bowl Project is celebrating its 26th year in 2016, marking millions of dollars raised to help fight hunger.
Local Implications
In Worcester County, the Empty Bowl Project came to fruition in 2013 thanks to the combined efforts of local businesses, community members, the ALOC, and Diakonia. All funds raised go towards the ALOC and Diakonia. Diakonia has been helping individuals and families in Worcester County and on the Lower Shore for the past 40 years, providing shelter, food, clothing and the resources needed to rebuild lives. ‘Help for today and hope for tomorrow’ is their motto, and it’s one that has proven successful in helping serve thousands in need in Worcester County over the past 40 years. In addition to providing shelter and outreach services for the community, Diakonia also operates a food pantry that provides food assistance to hundreds of needy families each month. The Empty Bowl Project serves as one of many valued resources for helping fill the Diakonia food pantry. The ALOC is also a non-profit organization, dedicated to promoting the visual arts in the Ocean City area through education, exhibits, scholarships, programs and community art events.
Join in the Fun
Want to pitch in? There are a number of ways you can help, starting with a pottery session. For the next two months, the ALOC will be hosting one-hour sessions for participants to make bowls for the Empty Bowl Dinner. Sessions are free and last one hour:
Tuesday, Jan. 19 1:30-2:30 p.m. or 3-4 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 25 5-6 p.m. or 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 3 5-6 p.m. or 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 6 10-11 a.m. or 11:30-12:30 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 11 Noon-1 p.m. or 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb.16 5-6 p.m. or 6:30-7:30 p.m.
To reserve your spot, all 410-524-9433.
The bowls are left at the Arts Center to be glazed and fired, and are then used at the Empty Bowl Dinner. For a $20 donation, those who attend the dinner will receive a handmade bowl (you can even purchase the bowl you made). Can’t make one of the sessions? No problem, you can still pitch in by attending the Empty Bowl Dinner.
Empty Bowl Dinner
This year’s Empty Bowl Dinner will be held on March 19 from 5-8pm at the Ocean City Center for the Arts at 502 94th Street. The evening will include soup donated by local restaurants, along with breads, desserts, a cash bar, a silent auction and live music.
