Oakton Empty Bowls fundraiser targets world hunger

Enjoy a hot lunch Saturday, Dec. 3, and help support Empty Bowls at Oakton. The event, which raises awareness about local and worldwide hunger, will run 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Oakton Community College's TenHoeve Center, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines.

For a donation of just $15, participants are invited to choose and keep their favorite from among 1,500 handcrafted soup bowls made by local professional and student potters, enjoy a simple lunch of soup and bread and hear live music. Larger art pieces are also available via raffle and bargain purchase. All proceeds go to six local food pantries.

"This is a wonderful chance to acquire inexpensive and unique gifts while supporting community food charities," said Bud Sents, vice president of the Ceramics Club.

Sponsored by the Ceramics Club at Oakton, and supported by the college's Student Government Association, Empty Bowls at Oakton is part of a nonprofit, global movement that has raised millions of dollars for food banks, soup kitchens and other meal programs.

Now in its 13th year, Empty Bowls at Oakton has raised more than $200,000 for area charities. Since 2004, this event at Oakton has sold approximately 14,500 handmade bowls to benefit local food pantries.

Entertainment will be provided by Patchouli, an acoustic duo whose songs about harmony and healing inspire the human spirit.

For information, visit www.oakton.edu/emptybowls, contact emptybowls@oakton.edu or call (847) 635-1699. Tax-deductible donations to Empty Bowls may be made at www.oakton.edu/giving by selecting "Donate" and entering "Empty Bowls."