Author: Ann Cipperly Observer 

Although the empty bowl project is currently undergoing pre-sales, starting from Saturday, December 11, various additional activities will be provided for the 12-day donation at the entertainment center on Opelika Densen Avenue. Every day there is a lottery for free handmade pottery and special items are displayed. In the Empty Bowls main event on February 12th, bowls can be purchased and will include a ticket for a free bowl of delicious soup and bread. All proceeds will be donated to the East Alabama Food Bank. 

Approximately 45 potters made bowls for $10 to $20. This year, new products include hand-painted bowls for children and microwave oven soup pots made by the Sewing Department of Sany United Methodist Church.

The late Ron Speedy made special pottery related to Lake Martin, which will be auctioned on February 12th, along with other unique artworks and an elegant four-course dinner. The soup from restaurants and local chefs will be served indoors and outdoors under tents.

The Food Bank’s ninth annual Empty Bowls fundraising event started when Sherie Spain, the director of the pottery department of the Opelika Entertainment Center, read about the event. The event began in 1990 as a class project in Michigan. Classes make ceramic bowls for sale and provide soup for food drives. This idea became popular, and other empty bowl events were held all over the country. 

"I contacted the food bank and they liked the idea," Shirley said. "I think it would be nice to have Opelika and the Auburn pottery community work together." 

Opelika’s Rocky Brook Potters and Auburn’s Dean Road Recreation Center Ceramics Studio alternate events every other year, and potters from these two groups make bowls for each event. When the Opelika potters held this event two years ago, they raised $21,000 for the East Alabama Food Bank. 

"I have always been interested in how to make pottery, so I took a few courses from Sherie," said Kitty Greene, the promotion chairman of the Opelika empty bowl project. "This is a way for me to participate in the community. I want to do something to help me. For me, the food bank is really special." 

Anyone who purchases the bowl in advance can bring tickets to participate in the event on February 12 without paying additional fees. Everyone who buys a ticket will receive a bowl to remind the less fortunate in the community and remember, "No child deserves an empty bowl." 

 "The empty bowl event allows us to choose a cute handmade bowl to serve the soup, but this small bowl represents more than just my meal," said Martha Henk, executive director of the East Alabama Food Bank. "Get food through local donations and the national food bank network. Every dollar given to the food bank allows us to distribute the equivalent of seven meals to people in need. I like the strong concept of empty bowls.

"The bowl of the empty bowl activity is placed on the table where I work. I see it every day. It specifically reminds us that there are empty bowls in our community and I can do something specific to fill another person's bowl. ." 

These bowls are sold at the Opelika Entertainment Center from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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