Empty Bowls is an international movement to raise both money and awareness in the fight to end hunger.

Realizing the need for funds at the Natchez Stewpot, local potters hosted their first Empty Bowls event in our community in 2004. Since then, over $75,000 has been raised and donated to the Stewpot. 

From noon to 2 p.m. on Feb. 12, the eighth Natchez Empty Bowls event will be at Natchez Pottery at 101 Clifton Ave. 

The goal is to have 300 bowls from which to choose and to sell 300 tickets. Bowls have been made by Natchez potters, students and youth group members.

Many people in the community look forward to the wonderful selection of bowls in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and designs that are offered each year we host the fundraiser. Some ticket holders show up early to make their picks from the wide array of bowls. Others take their time laboring over what their final choice will be.

This year, in addition to the handmade pottery bowls, local artists were invited into the studio to share their talents by hand painting bowls for even more variety.

Tickets are $25 and available at Natchez Coffee, 509 Franklin St. Participants will be able to select a bowl and enjoy a simple meal of gumbo and cornbread. For those not wanting to stay and eat, take-out containers will be available. 

The bowl will be yours to keep as a reminder of the empty bowls in our community and the world. 

Drop by Natchez Coffee and get your tickets to help feed the hungry in our town and to own an piece of art created by one of the area’s talented potters and artists.

Donna Jones is the coordinator of this year’s Empty Bowls fundraiser.