Oakton's Empty Bowls event supports local food pantries

Enjoy a hot lunch Saturday, Dec. 1, and help support Empty Bowls at Oakton. The event, now in its 15th year of raising awareness of local and worldwide hunger while benefiting local food pantries, 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 $16, 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 local food pantries. The Rick and Trevor Shandling Duo will provide entertainment.

"This is a wonderful chance to acquire inexpensive and unique gifts while supporting community food charities," says Oakton Chair of Art and Design Lou Pierozzi.

Sponsored by the Ceramics Club 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.

Since 2004, Empty Bowls at Oakton has raised more than $330,000. For information, contact emptybowls@oakton.edu or call (847) 635-1699.