Empty Bowls is an event that brings pottery, community and good food together to help fight hunger. For the last three years, my friend Joanna Kramer has been organizing the event for Chicago. (I’m including a letter from her below that explains all the details.)

Dear Artist and Supporter,
Bring us your bowls and help feed the hungry! Join us on December 12, 2008 for a bowl of soup and help to feed the hungry. The Empty Bowls Project is a nationwide effort by artists to help fight hunger. Lillstreet Art Center is proud to host the 3rd annual Empty Bowls Project to benefit Chicago-area hunger-fighting organizations. We’re asking student and professional potters to donate bowls for this cause.
Empty Bowls works like this: guests choose a bowl and are served a generous serving of soup and bread made by First Slice Cafe, in exchange for a $20 suggested donation. Guests keep the bowl as a reminder that there are always empty bowls in the world. Bowls with an estimated price of over $30 will be placed up for auction. Empty Bowls will take place on Friday, December 12, 2008, 5-8 pm in the Lillstreet Gallery. 100% of the money raised will be given to First Slice, so they may continue to create healthy meals for these local organizations whose mission includes helping those who are hungry and/or homeless: Heartland Alliance, The Night Ministry, American Indian Center Youth Program, and Howard Area Alternative High School and Chicago-area soup kitchens. With the revenue generated from last year’s EMPTY BOWLS event, First Slice was able to donate 1000 meals to youth in need. All donated bowls may be mailed or delivered to Lillstreet Art Center by December 5th. We hope you will participate in this important hunger-fighting event.
Thank you in advance for your generous donation to help feed Chicago’s hungry.
Drop off / Ship bowls:
Lillstreet Art Center
Attn: Joanna Kramer, Empty Bowls Coordinator
4401 N. Ravenswood Ave.
Chicago, IL 60640
(773)263-5581