A community is only as strong as its citizens who work together to meet the needs of its people. One of these needs is hunger, and one way in which our community has stepped up to fight hunger is through Empty Bowls.

Empty Bowls is an international grassroots effort to fight hunger. It was the vision of an art teacher, John Harton, in 1990 when he joined a drive to raise charitable funds in his Michigan community.

His idea was to give artists and students a way to make a difference. Harton’s students made ceramic bowls in his high school art class, which marked the beginning of Empty Bowls.

Realizing the need for funds at the Natchez Stewpot, local potters hosted the first Empty Bowls event in our community in 2004. Since then, over $60,000 has been raised and donated to the Stew Pot.

As a student of Cathedral High School and a member of Natchez Pottery, I am honored to promote this compassionate cause once again. Here’s how it works. Potters and students from Natchez Pottery, as well as citizens of the Natchez Community donate bowls of all sizes, shapes, and colors. Talented cooks donate the delicious gumbo to fill the bowls. The meal is simple, to remind us of the meals that so many of our citizens have each day. On Feb. 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., friends and family will gather to select a bowl and have it filled with soup.

Take-out containers will be available if you do not choose to eat with us. The bowl is yours to keep, as a reminder of all whose bowls are empty each day in our community and throughout our world.

A limited number of tickets are available and can be purchased at Natchez Coffee Company, 509 Franklin St. Ticket price is $25.

The event is held at Natchez Pottery, 101 Clifton Avenue, Natchez.

How thankful we are to be a part of a community where so many volunteers give of their time and talent making these events possible.

Sophie Webber is member of Natchez Pottery.