FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 9, 2007

Contact: K.E. Schwab  

724.738.2199

 karl.schwab@sru.edu

Annual Empty Bowls Dinner raises funds, hunger awareness   

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University Institute for Community, Service and Nonprofit Leadership will host its 12th Annual Empty Bowls dinner Oct. 15 to raise awareness about hunger issues and provide financial support to three local hunger organizations.

           The 3:30-7 p.m. dinner is in the Multi-Purpose Room of the University Union.

           Empty Bowls is a nationally recognized event to help eliminate hunger and raise public awareness of hunger problems in the U.S. and around the world. In the past 11 years, the SRU program has raised more than $35,000.

           >At the dinner, a meal of bread and homemade soup is served in handcrafted ceramic bowls made by Slippery Rock University student artists and volunteers. Participants may take their bowl home as a reminder of hunger issues. 

           “Students have been making ceramic soup bowls since the start of fall semester. We plan to have 800 bowls completed by the event,” said Alice Kaiser-Drobney, director of the institute and an assistant professor of professional studies. “The more bowls we fill, the more money we make, which means fewer people will go hungry.”

           Ingredients for the soup are donated by local businesses and farms.

           A special “Bowl-a-Thon” will be offered from 7-11 p.m. Thursday in SRU’s Pottery Shop allowing all interested parties to paint one of the bowls for firing. Demonstrations of bowl-making will also be offered.

           Proceeds from the dinner benefit the Slippery Rock Feed My Sheep Food Cupboard, the Butler Area Agency on Aging and the New Castle I CARE House food programs. “This year's goal is to raise $5,000 as a way of continuing to keep citizens in Butler County off waiting lists for home-delivered meals. Since our program began, students have helped the Agency on Aging eliminate such waiting lists,” Kaiser-Drobney said.

            Tickets are $7 for students and $12 for non-students. Advance tickets are available at the Institute for Community, Service Learning and Nonprofit Leadership in the Lowry Center. Tickets will also be available at the door.  For more information call 724.738.2273.

Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.

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