Twin Valley Rotary Club’s Empty Bowls event benefits food pantry
– By Carol Quaintance , For Berks-Mont News / Photos submitted by Mary Ellen Mahan
There is a new buzz in town! Prepare for a unique dining experience this Friday, Nov. 6 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Conestoga Mennonite Church, Route 23, Morgantown. The kids, friends and neighbors are welcome, too.
Twin Valley Rotary Club member Mary Ellen Mahan announced that the Rotary Club is bringing the grassroots movement Empty Bowls to town. Rotary is donating 100 percent of the proceeds to the Twin Valley Food Pantry,” she added, “We have been putting signs up all over town.”
Empty Bowls is a grassroots movement that has been run by various organizations since 1990 when it was first introduced in Michigan. It provides a vehicle for local potters and artisans to partner with local organizations, churches, community service groups and others to raise awareness that hunger exists and to raise funds to help reduce it locally.
The Rotary exists to provide humanitarian services to the community making Empty Bowls a perfect program to help those served by the Twin Valley Food Pantry, said Mahan.
“Every penny goes to the Food Pantry to help with the growing hunger in the community. You will leave hungry,” emphasized Mahan.
Volunteers of the Village Library of Morgantown will also be helping at the upcoming event.
Attendees will select a hand-crafted bowl created and donated by one of 10 area potters or organizations. Plastic bowls are available for children.
Those donating their time and skill so that each person receives a unique bowl are Steve Wittwer, Twin Valley High School, Conestoga Christian School, Susan Moore, Diane Dobbins, Elayne Baker, Bebe Poor, Allathea Jonic, Jill Moyer, Tel Hai Retirement Community, Donna Clifton, and Catriona McDermott.
Attendees will then fill their bowls with soup and bread provided by local restaurants and organizations who have also contributed to this event. They include Heritage Restaurant, September Farm, Tel Hai Retirement Community, Goodwill Methodist Church, Petrangeli’s, Twin Valley High School, Phoebe’s Pure Food, Dans at Green Hills, Stirling Guest Hotel, Windmill Family Restaurant, Judy’s on Cherry, St. Peter’s Bakery and Shady Maple Smorgasbord.
Donations will also be provided by both the Goodwill Methodist Church and Twin Valley High School.
Please visit www.twinvalleyrotary.org and click on the Empty Bowls logo for a list of the different soups that will be served.
Participants will leave with their empty bowl as a reminder of the hunger that exists both in our own communities and around the world.
Those unable to attend the event are encouraged to support the program. Checks can be made out to the Twin Valley Food Pantry and mailed to: the Twin Valley Rotary Club, POB 470, Elverson, Pa 19520.
Tickets are available at the Morgantown Village Library or by calling 610-780-6897.