Nimble hands splashed glaze-soaked paintbrushes onto clay bowl after clay bowl at Florida Brick and Clay. About 10 Plant City High School Civinettes donated their time recently to help with the finishing touches of the community’s 2013 Empty Bowls project.
Elementary students have been creating the bowls during special workshops. The bowls are then sold as part of the ticket package during the event scheduled for Nov. 9, at the Train Depot, in Historic Downtown Plant City. The event benefits the United Food Bank of Plant City.
The bowls serve as a reminder of all the bowls that go unfilled every day. In 2012, 49 million Americans lived in food insecure households, according to Feeding America. Locally, the United Food Bank of Plant City serves about 50 clients daily. The numbers have tripled since last year.
Along with a bowl, attendees of the event also get to try a specialty soup cooked by local churches. Bowls crafted by local artists also will be available at an auction.
FBC receives hundreds of bowls every year for the event. This year, FBC is responsible for firing the bowls from Hope Lutheran’s Vacation Bible School, the Plant City Family YMCA, Marshall Middle School and Burney, Walden Lake and Jackson elementary schools. Joining the movement this year for the first time is a group of homeschool students and St. Clement Catholic Church’s youth group.
It’s also the Civinettes’ first time participating. Although they haven’t made any bowls, their efforts in glazing will help the project’s committee.
“It’s great having their help; that way, we’re not here until nine at night,” FBC Customer Service Manager Roger Mitchell says.
While the Civinettes were painting, they also given were friendly instructions. Food bank board member and FBC Customer Service Coordinator Silvia Dodson encouraged them to highlight details crafted by the kids.
“They’re getting their community-service hours while helping the community,” Dodson says. “I’m excited that the kids are getting involved and learning to help those that are in need.”
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
EMPTY BOWLS
WHEN: 11 a.m. Nov. 9
WHERE: Train Depot
TICKETS: Minuteman Press, 1701 S. Alexander St. No. 105; Plant City Realty, 208 W. Baker St.; Sweetbay, 205 W. Alexander St.; Hillsborough County District VI School Offices, 703 N. Thomas St.; and United Food Bank of Plant City, 702 E. Alsobrook St.
WHAT’S ON THE MENU
Evangelical Presbyterian Church: Broccoli cheese
First Presbyterian Church: Chili, New Orleans-style gumbo
Hope Lutheran Church: Green chili chicken and rice
Loan Oak Baptist Church: Taco, black bean sausage
St. Clement Catholic Church: Garbanzo bean, hearty meatball and harvest vegetable
St. Mary’s Community Church: Smoked gumbo
St. Mary’s United American F.W. Baptist Church: Beefy vegetable, vegetable and tomato
PCHS CIVINETTE VOLUNTEERS
Shelby Baerwalde
Melissa Crespo
Adrianna Gianino
Maddy Keene
Trinity Lester
Carson Mitchell
Kellen Morris
Lauren Schism
Logan Self
Holly Shuff
Alyssa Thurston