On May 9, there will be a supper and silent auction in support of the Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA). The Empty Bowls project is a grassroots, international movement where artists and community members create handcrafted bowls, serve a meal, and donate proceeds to food banks.
“The Empty Bowls supper movement originated in 1990 in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and was created by art teacher John Hartom and his wife, Lisa Blackburn, as a community-based response to local food insecurity in 1990,” says Pam Benjamin, director of Sense of Wonder Creations (SoWC), and organizer for the local Empty Bowls fundraiser. “This has become a perfect combination of creative and artistic ideas, where the community can come together to help relieve the suffering and needs of children and families around the world.”
Benjamin says she got involved with MECA through Palestinian friends whose families live in Gaza. “The Middle East Children’s Alliance gives to children in Palestine, Iraq, and Lebanon, but the Martha’s Vineyard Empty Bowls supper project is earmarked for children and families in Gaza.”
Artists who are contributing a bowl include Bill O’Callaghan, Geoffrey Borr, Micah Thanhauser, Amy Nevin, Victoria Correnti, Brendan Coogan, Leslie Freeman, Darcie Hanaway, Lola Northrop, Jennifer McCurdy, Merry Farm Pottery Crew, and several high school students. Gina Stanley of the ArtDliff Diner and Beetlebung Farm are donating bread; Cronig’s and Stop & Shop are donating salad; Waterside Market and Mo’s are donating desserts.
Glenway Fripp and David Stanwood will provide live piano music, followed by the Dock Dance Band. Soup, salad, bread, and dessert will be served, and at the end of the evening, each attendee will take home a beautiful handmade bowl. Suggested donations are $35 to $60 (or higher) for adults. The event is organized and sponsored by Sense of Wonder Creations, Olive Branch Fair Trade, and Expanding the Conversation.
Call Pam Benjamin at 508-693-3142 for more information and to make reservations.