Community Comes Together To Fill ‘Empty Bowls’

The Saturday before Thanksgiving, the community came together to help fill ‘empty bowls’ for Hays County residents in need. This is not the first year that San Marcos High School (SMHS) Art and Culinary Art students hosted a benefit for Hays County Food Bank by crafting bowls (sold for $10 – $20) and cooking a meal like chili and cornbread to fill them with. However, this year SMHS faculty and students wanted to get more of the community involved. Their first step was to change the venue from the high school campus to somewhere more accessible. To do so, they partnered with the Walker’s Gallery, who sponsored event space at the San Marcos Activity Center.

By creating a community partnership, an extra dimension was added to the event. Attendees were invited to view the Walker’s Gallery ‘ValYOUs’ exhibit, where local artists displayed their interpretation of life-affirming values. Throughout the evening, Eben Greene built an interactive trust tower that nearly reached the ceiling. This was not the only art on display. Community artists and businesses also donated unique pieces for a silent auction. Furthermore, live entertainment was provided by the Crockett Children’s Choir, SMHS Theater Department, SMHS Orchestra, SMHS Brass Street Boys, and the SMHS Jazz Ensemble.

The Community Empty Bowl Project raised $3,508 this year, over $2,000 more than it did in 2015. This contribution provided ~117 holiday meal boxes to families who would normally do without. Hays County Food Bank is excited to see how Empty Bowl continues to grow. Come out and join us next year!

In 2015, Hays County Food Bank and its 20₊ partner agencies distributed 690,397 pounds of food to an average of nearly 12,000 food insecure residents each month. These residents were senior citizens, children, and many others facing economic challenges.  “Food insecurity” refers to the availability of food and one’s access to it.  Hays County Food Bank is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the public to perform its mission.  For more information, please visit haysfoodbank.org or visit us on Facebook or Twitter at @HaysFoodBank.