The Greater Lansing Potter's Guild and Clayworks are using their talents to fight hunger

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – From local art to hot food, every bowl makes a difference.

Volunteers like Sunny Wilkinson of the Greater Lansing Potter's Guild said the event raises awareness of the ongoing fight against hunger.

“I don’t know what better way to give back than to bring my skills as a potter and my love for the craft and then give it back to the community by helping the food bank.”

Wilkinson said: “It’s just a good cause.”

She may not know how many bowls she made. “Maybe around 20, 25, something like that.”

However, Wilkinson said she knows she is making a difference. She teaches other volunteers how to make a bowl to fight hunger.

“They know what they're doing.” She said, “They donate to the food bank and then they have this little cute personal item that they can take home as a souvenir.”

The Empty Bowls event was hosted by the Greater Lansing Food Bank with volunteers from Clayworks and the Greater Lansing Potter's Guild. Each guest received a handmade bowl to consume their lunchtime soup.

Kelly Miller told the food bank the event shows how humble meals have a real impact on food-insecure families.

She said: “To remind people that we all need to come together as a community, eat a bowl of soup and take home a small piece of ceramics to remember those in the community who are struggling.”

According to the latest data released by Feeding America, 99,800 people in the Greater Lansing Food Bank's Mid-Michigan service area are food insecure.

Empty bowls help usher in the holiday season of giving, according to Miller. “And more than ever during the holidays, people want to give back, feed their neighbors and their communities.

Miller said, “That was a great start.”

Wilkinson said each group of potters provides about 350 bowls and fights the same battle.

“It's a big deal.” Wilkinson said: “We're all excited to be here to give this to the food bank.”

You can still donate soup and other food items to the Greater Lansing Food Bank.

Subscribe to our News 10 newsletter And YouTube page to get the latest local news and weather. Do you want to hire employees or grow your business through advertising? Gray Digital Media is your one-stop marketing solution. Learn more.

Copyright 2024 WILX. All rights reserved.