PICK YOUR BOWL: Janel Benning, a Slippery Rock University therapeutic recreation major from New Castle, picks her “Empty Bowl” during Tuesday’s hunger awareness event in the University Union. More than 400 students, faculty and staff contributed $2,912 to benefit the Feed My Sheep food bank. Potato and vegetable soups were served.
SRU Empty Bowls Dinner draws
record crowd; contributions
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The Slippery Rock community, led by Slippery Rock University's AmeriCorps students, rallied to help their neighbors by raising a record $2,912 at this week's 15th annual Empty Bowls Dinner.
The dinner's proceeds will aid the Feed My Sheep Food Cupboard, which is providing 170 local families with Thanksgiving food baskets.
"This money is needed so badly in these times to aid local families. The amount exceeds the typical donation from previous dinners," Carol Lambert, cupboard director, said. In addition to the holiday baskets, the food bank serves an average 140 families each month, supplying food items donated by the local community.
The annual event's mission is to raise money and awareness of hunger problems locally, state, nation and worldwide. Participants receive a dinner of soup and bread, then take home their student-made ceramic bowl home as a reminder of hunger issues.
SRU's AmeriCorps members have scheduled another food drive for Oct. 28 in connection with the screening of the cult film "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Admission is five cans of non-perishable food or a $5 donation.
The inter-active film will be shown at 8 p.m. in the University Union.