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| Empty Bowl Project |
| Written by Daniela Garcia | |
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Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and while it’s usually about family, friends, food, and giving thanks, you also have a chance to give to those with less on their plates. November 23 marks the 12th annual Empty Bowl Project in Austin, Texas—an event that finds local artists, eateries, and musicians pitching in to help feed needy Texans. The Empty Bowl Project has become a nationwide event and has grown rapidly here with the help of the Austin community. Local pottery makers donate thousands of unique bowls in every color and size. Austinites come the Sunday before Thanksgiving to buy one of the handmade bowls. The $15 charge includes the first fill-up, with a choice of homemade soups and breads from more than 30 participating restaurants and bakeries, including Cissi’s Market, Mandola’s, III Forks, Mars, and Hoover’s.“My favorite thing about [this event] is seeing so many people involved in a project that is so much fun and helps so many others,” says co-head Hester Weigand. Part of the fun comes from the live music, adding a little dining music while participants eat their soup. The music leans toward the folksy, roots rock side, with Shelley King (2008 Texas Musician of the Year), Susan Gibson (writer of Dixie Chicks’ “Wide Open Spaces”), Betty Soo (winner 2008 Kerrville Folk Festival), and more. A silent auction features celebrity bowls signed by the likes of Billy Gibbons, Turk Pipkin, Michael Stipe, Kris Kristofferson, Lloyd Doggett, Craig Ferguson, Joe Ely/Joel Guzman, and plenty more notables. Raffle tickets are vie for a quilt made by Nancy Elder. All the money made from the event is donated to the Kids Café Program of the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas. Proceeds from the Empty Bowl Project in Austin have lead to more than two million meals for those in need.  Kids Cafe helps local children “If kids aren’t well fed, they won’t do as well as they can in school,” Weigand says. “They need the opportunity to perform at their full capacity.” The Austin Empty Bowl Project was founded by Kit Adams, owner of ClayWays Pottery Studio & Gallery, in 1997. Weigand became involved during the event’s second year and has helped in various ways since. When Adams decided last year would be her last, Weigand stepped up and took over, along with local potter Kris Asthalter. They both now work to put the project together, doing everything from making bowls to arranging donations to getting t-shirts made. “Everyone has been so supportive. We only ask everyone to give a little bit. And everyone does that, so we have a really successful program,” Weigand says. “And the public loves it. It’s fun to come and shop for bowls and participate. There are so many to chose from and everyone always seems to find something that is just for them.” The 12th Annual Empty Bowl Project will take place on Sunday November 23rd, from 11:00am-3:00pm at the Mexican American Cultural Center (600 River Street). |
Buy pottery, eat well, while helping others. 
